Kosin Medical Journal  2016;31(1):30-40

doi:10.7180/kmj.2016.31.1.30

Quercetin induces cell death by caspase-dependent and p38 MAPK pathway in EGFR mutant lung cancer cells.

Eun Jin LIM 1 ; Jeunghoon HEO ; Young Ho KIM

Affiliations

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Keywords

EGFR mutant; Lung cancer; MAPK; Mitochondria; Quercetin

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was whether quercetin induces cell death by caspase and MAPK signaling pathway in EGFR mutant lung cancer cells. METHODS: PC-9 cells, EGFR mutant lung cancer cells, were treated various times and concentrations of quercetin and harvested and measured using MTT assay, DNA fragmentation, Western blotting, and FACS analysis. RESULTS: Treatment with quercetin in PC-9 cells resulted in inhibition of cell growth through apoptosis. Quercetin-induced apoptosis was associated with caspase-dependent manner. Quercetin also significantly increased levels of phosphor-p38 and decreased levels of phosphor-ERK, indicating that quercetin induces p38 MAPK signaling pathway in PC-9 cells. Quecetin treatment also generated the release of cytochrome c in PC-9 cells; however, pretreatment with rotenone or z-LEHD-fmk, significantly attenuated quercetin-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that quercetin exhibits EGFR mutant lung cancer effects through apoptosis by caspase dependent and mitochondrial pathway.