Inhibition of human cervical cancer cell growth by Salviolone is mediated via autophagy induction, cell migration and cell invasion suppression, G2/M cell cycle arrest and downregulation of Nf-kB/m-TOR/PI3K/AKT pathway.

PURPOSE

Cervical cancer is one of the prevalently diagnosed cancers in women worldwide. In this study the antiproliferative and anticancer effects of Salviolone were evaluated against HeLa cervical cancer cell line along with determining the anticancer mode of action.

METHODS

MTT assay was employed to examine the proliferation rate of HeLa cells. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used for the detection of the autophagic cell death. The cell invasion and migration were investigated by transwell assay and the expression of the proteins was estimated by western blotting.

RESULTS

The results revealed that Salviolone exerts anticancer effects on the HeLa cells with an IC50 of 20 µM. The effect of Salviolone on the viability of normal FR-2 cells was very low. TEM analysis showed that Salviolone triggers autophagic cell death in HeLa cells. Salviolone could also cause arrest of the HeLa cervical cancer cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and suppress their ability to migrate and invade. Western blotting analysis revealed that Salviolone could inhibit the of Nf-kB/m-TOR/PI3K/AKT signalling pathway in HeLa cells.

CONCLUSION

Taken all together, it is concluded that Salviolone could prove to be an important lead molecule for the treatment of cervical cancer.