GENKWADAPHNIN INHIBITS THE GROWTH OF SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA (SCC) CELLS

Background: Genkwadaphnin was isolated from the flower buds of Daphne genkwa, showing cytotoxicity against several cancer cell lines. Objectives: To investigate the effect of Genkwadaphnin on SCC cells. Methods: SCC12 cells were treated with Genkwadaphnin and effects were evaluated. Results: Genkwadaphnin treatment resulted in apoptosis of SCC12 cells in the dose- and time-dependent manner, evidenced by cleavage of procaspase-3 and PARP. Genkwadaphnin induced phosphorylations of JNK and p38 MAPK. When JNK and p38 MAPK were knockdowned by recombinant adenovirus expressing microRNA (miR), Genkwadaphnin-induced apoptosis was significantly inhibited. Pretreatment of SCC12 cells with the ROS scavenger N-acteylcysteine (NAC) inhibited Genkwadaphnin-induced apoptosis significantly. Conclusion: These results suggest that Genkwadaphnin has an anti-cancer potential against SCC cells.