Dual Effects of Silymarin on Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells (NPC-TW01)

作者：Su Chin Hui; Chen Li Jen; Liao Jyh Fei; Cheng Juei Tang^*

来源：Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2013, 20(4): 261-266.

DOI：10.1159/000354594

• Silymarin
• Cytostatic
• Free radicals
• Caspase-3
• Bcl-2
• TW01 cells

Background: Silymarin is an active component from the seeds of Silybum marianum and is widely used as a hepatic protection agent. Apoptosis induced by silymarin has been mentioned in cervical cancer cells. However, silymarin shows dual effects on tumor cells: cytostatic action at a low dose and cytotoxic action at higher dose. Thus, in the present study, we focused on low-dosing of silymarin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, NPC-TW01 (TW01). Methods: Cell viability assay was used to screen the effect of silymarin in TW01 cells. Western blot analysis was used to identify the expressions of antioxidant enzymes and anti-/proapoptotic proteins. Fluorescent dyes are employed to detect the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell apoptosis. Results: Treatment of TW01 cells with silymarin at a low dose (80 mu mol/l) resulted in a significant increase of antioxidant enzymes. Silymarin increased the expressions of superoxide dismutase 1, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Consequently, the cell apoptosis was reduced markedly. An increase of Bcl-2 expression and a decrease of activated caspase-3 or apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) were observed in TW01 cells at a low dose (80 mu mol/l) treatment. Conclusion: Silymarin at a low dose can induce cytostatic effect on TW01 cells mainly through an increase of antioxidant-like action. Thus, silymarin should be applied carefully to patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

• 出版日期2013