Galangin inhibits growth of human head and neck squamous carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo.*

Galangin inhibits growth of human head and neck squamous carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

Zhu L1, Luo Q1, Bi J2, Ding J1, Ge S2, Chen F3.

Author information

Abstract

Galangin, an active flavonoid component extracted from the propolis and root of Alpinia officinarum Hance, has anti-tumor activity, but the mechanisms by which galangin affects various cancers, including human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that galangin suppressed the growth of HNSCC in vivo. With the cell culture system, galangin inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of HNSCC cells in a dose-dependent manner. Galangin induced significant cell cycle arrest of the tumor cells at the G0/G1 phase, which was accompanied by reduced AKT phosphorylation and mammalian target of rapamycin and S6 kinase activation. Decreased expression of cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4, CDK6 and phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein was observed in galangin-treated HNSCC cells. In addition, galangin induced apoptosis of HNSCC cells, downregulating antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL and upregulating proapoptotic protein Bax and cleaved caspase 3. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a dose-dependent reduction in cyclin-D1-positive cancer cells and an increase in TUNEL-positive cancer cells in galangin-administrated mouse tumor sections. Therefore, galangin may be a novel therapeutic option in human HNSCC treatment.

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS:

Apoptosis; Cell cycle; Cyclin D1; Galangin; Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

PMID: 25450235 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

 

* THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.