Oral Biol Res.  2022 Dec;46(4):165-170. 10.21851/obr.46.04.202212.165.

Effects of cimifugin on cell growth inhibition and cell apoptosis induction in fadu human pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

• Park JH
• Kim DK

• KMID: 2537678
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21851/obr.46.04.202212.165

Abstract

Cimifugin is an important component of chromones in the dry roots of Saposhnikovia divaricata and is used in treating inflammatory diseases. However, the effect of cimifugin on cancer is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cimifugin on cell apoptosis induction in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells using MTT assay, live/dead cell assay, and western blot. Cimifugininduced FaDu cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Cimifugin-induced apoptosis in FaDu cells was mediated by the expression of Fas and activation of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Western blot results showed the downregulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL but the upregulation of Bad and Bax by cimifugin in FaDu cells. These results suggest that cimifugin inhibits cell survival and induces apoptotic cell death in FaDu human pharyngeal carcinoma cells via both the death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway and the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

Keyword

Anticancer; Apoptosis; Cimifugin