BACKGROUND/AIM: Hydrogen peroxide (HO) is one of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can induce apoptotic cell death in numerous cancer cells. Pterostilbene (PTE), a natural polyphenolic compound, induces cell apoptosis in many human cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated whether PTE could enhance HO-induced cell apoptosis in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells in vitro. The morphological change of HaCaT cells was observed and photographed under a contrast-phase microscope. The percentage of cell viability was measured by propidium iodide exclusion assay. Cell apoptosis was performed by Annexin V/PI double staining and assayed by flow cytometer. DNA condensation was measured by DAPI staining. The protein expression was determined by western blotting. ROS production-associated proteins were also assayed by confocal laser scanning microscopy.

RESULTS

PTE pre-treatment enhanced HO (600 μM)-induced cell morphological changes and reduced the total cell number (cell viability). The decreased cell viability in HaCaT cells was through induction of apoptotic cell death, which was confirmed by Annexin V/PI double staining and DAPI staining. Western blotting studies indicated that HaCaT cells which were pre-treated with PTE (100 μM) and then co-treated with HO (600 μM) for 12 h showed significantly increased levels of SOD (Cu/Zn), SOD (Mn), Bax, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, PARP, p53, p-p53, and p-H2A.X but decreased levels Bcl-2 and catalase. Results also showed that HaCaT cells pre-treated with PTE and then co-treated with HO had increased expression of SOD (Cu/Zn) and glutathione but decreased catalase.

CONCLUSION

These observations suggest that PTE pre-treatment can enhance the HO-induced apoptotic cell death in keratinocyte cells and may be an effective candidate for the treatment of proliferative keratinocytes.