Resveratrol induces the apoptosis associated with activation of caspases in HTB-41 human salivary gland epidermoid carcinoma cells

Abstract

Trans-3,4`,5,-trihydroxystilbene (resveratrol), a phytoalexin that is present in grape skin and red wine, suppresses many types of cancers by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis through a variety of mechanisms. However, resveratrol`s effects on salivary gland tumors including squamous carcinomas are not clearly established. The main goal of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol on cell growth and induction of apoptosis in salivary gland epidermoid carcinoma cells. Treatment with resveratrol induced inhibition of cell growth and was dependent on resveratrol treatment time and concentration in HTB-41 cells. Treatment with resveratrol induced nuclear condensation and fragmentation in HTB-41 cells. Activation of caspases-3 and -7 was detected in living HTB-41 cells by fluorescence microscopy. Resveratrol promoted proteolytic cleavage of procaspases-3, -7, -8 and -9 with increases in the amount of cleaved caspases- 3, -7, -8 and -9. Cleaved PARP increased consider in the presence of resveratrol in HTB-41 cells. These results suggest that resveratrol can induce the suppression of cell growth and cell apoptosis in HTB-41 human submaxillary salivary gland epidermoid carcinoma cells, and that it may have potential properties for anti-cancer drug development.