Licochalcone C induces apoptosis via B-cell lymphoma 2 family proteins in T24 cells

The current study investigated the mechanisms by which licochalcone C induces apoptosis of T24 human malignant bladder cancer cells. Cell viability was evaluated using an MTT assay. Apoptosis was investigated using a morphological assay, flow cytometry and a caspase-3 activity assay. Alterations in the gene expression levels of Bcl-2 family members were measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays. The protein levels of pro-caspase-3 and cleaved poly(ADP ribose) polymerase were measured using western blotting. The results indicated that licochalcone C induced T24 cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Licochalcone C treatment reduced the levels of the anti-apoptotic mRNAs (Bcl-2, Bcl-w and Bcl-XL) and increased expression of the pro-apoptotic mRNAs (Bax and Bim). The Bcl-2 family inhibitor (ABT-737) reduced apoptosis induced by licochalcone C in T24 cells. The current study demonstrated that licochalcone C may be a potential adjuvant therapeutic agent for bladder cancer.