crocin and Carcinoma--Squamous-Cell

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a highly prevalent skin malignancy, and the effective therapy still remains a challenge. Crocin can be used for cSCC therapy. This study explored the effects of cSCC cells treatment with crocin in vitro and in vivo. The study used A431 and SCL-1 cells lines, cSCC human samples and BALB/C nude mice for investigations. Apoptosis was determined by MTT assays, while miR-320a and ATG2B expressions were validated through RT-qPCR. Interaction of miR-320a with ATG2B was examined via dual luciferase reporter assay. The autophagy and apoptosis proteins expressions were further confirmed through western blot and immunofluorescence staining assays. The results indicated a significantly upregulated miR-320a, but a down-regulated ATG2B expression in the cSCC clinical samples. Crocin significantly repressed cSCC cells growth, and induced apoptosis through autophagy. Furthermore, miR-320a expression was inhibited and ATG2B expression was increased. Dual luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-320a regulated ATG2B expression directly. Additionally, the upregulation of ATG2B expression in cSCC cells inhibited cell proliferation and led to cell apoptosis. Crocin also reduced tumor growth and stimulated the apoptosis in vivo. In conclusion, miR-320a is upregulated and ATG2B is down-regulated in cSCC, Crocin suppresses the proliferation and induces apoptosis of cSCC cells. Further, Crocin increases autophagy while miR-320a hinders autophagy and the apoptotic effects of crocin on cSCC cells. MiR-320a binds ATG2B directly, and ATG2B expression is upregulated by crocin. Finally, Crocin triggers cSCC cells apoptosis in vivo. Crocin can target ATG2B/miR-320a and may be an effective alternative for cSCC treatment.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Autophagy-Related Proteins; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Carotenoids; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Female; Humans; Male; Mice; Mice, Nude; MicroRNAs; Skin; Skin Neoplasms; Vesicular Transport Proteins

Cancer chemoprevention is a proven effective strategy for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The present study was designed to investigate the effects of crocin, a potential chemopreventive agent, on growth and DNA and RNA content in a human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line, Tca8113.. Tca8113 cells were treated with crocin for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mM. Tumor cell viability was investigated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. In addition, Tca8113 cells were treated with 0.4 mM crocin and cytotoxic effects as an inducer of apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry. Furthermore, acridine orange (AO) staining and observation using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) were used to determine the effects of the drug on nucleic acid synthesis.. Crocin decreased Tca8113 cell viability and growth remarkably at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). In addition, 0.4 mM crocin significantly induced both early and late apoptosis of Tca8113 cells. Moreover, the cellular DNA and RNA content was significantly downregulated by 0.4 mM crocin compared with the negative control (P<0.01).. Our observations support the feasibility of applying crocin as a chemoprophylactic agent and treatment for OSCCs.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Carotenoids; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Chemoprevention; DNA; Humans; RNA; Tongue Neoplasms