Bufalin Induces Mitochondrial Pathway-Mediated Apoptosis in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> To evaluate the effects of bufalin in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells invitro and assess the underlying mechanisms. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: Human A549 non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) cells were treated with various concentrations of bufalin. Cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8assay, apoptotic cell percentage was calculated by flow cytometry and morphological change was observed byinverted phase contrast microscopy/transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the membrane potentialof mitochondria was detected by JC-1 fluorescence microscopy assay, and the related protein expression ofcytochrome C and caspase-3 was analyzed by Western blotting. <br/><b>Results</b>: Bufalin could inhibit the proliferationof A549 cells via induction of apoptosis, with the evidence of characteristic morphological changes in the nucleusand mitochondria. Furthermore, bufalin decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential with up-regulationof cytochrome C in the cytosol, and activation of caspase-3. <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: Bufalin inhibits the proliferation ofA549 cells and triggers mitochondria-dependent apoptosis, pointing to therapeutic application for NSCLC.