RESUMEN
Plant-derived molecules showing antineoplastic effects have recently gained increased attention as potential adjuvants to traditional therapies for various cancers. Cerrado biome in Brazil contains high floral biodiversity, but knowledge about the potential therapeutic effects of compounds derived from that flora is still limited. The present study investigated the antineoplastic activity of Erythroxylum daphnites Mart., a Brazilian native plant from Cerrado biome, in the SCC-9 oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line. Cells were treated with various concentrations of hexane extract of Erythroxylum daphnites leaves (EDH) and assessed for cytotoxicity, proliferation, and apoptosis. Thin layer chromatography was conducted to characterize the substances present in EDH. Our results showed that EDH exerted anti-proliferative effects in SCC-9 cells by stabilizing the cell cycle at G1 phase in association with reduced intracellular levels of cyclins D and E and increased level of p21. EDH also demonstrated pro-apoptotic properties, as shown by an increased expression of caspase-3. Triterpenes were the major constituents of EDH. Our findings demonstrated a cytotoxic effect of EDH against SCC-9 cells in vitro mediated by the restraint of cellular proliferation and induction of apoptosis. Taken together, these findings support EDH constituents as potential therapeutic adjuvants for oral cancer.
Asunto(s)
Antineoplásicos Fitogénicos/farmacología , Apoptosis , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/metabolismo , Erythroxylaceae/química , Puntos de Control de la Fase G1 del Ciclo Celular , Neoplasias de la Boca/metabolismo , Antineoplásicos Fitogénicos/química , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patología , Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/metabolismo , Línea Celular Tumoral , Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Citotoxinas/química , Citotoxinas/farmacología , Humanos , Neoplasias de la Boca/patología , Extractos Vegetales/química , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Triterpenos/químicaRESUMEN
EEF1D (eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1δ) is a subunit of the elongation factor 1 complex of proteins that mediates the elongation process during protein synthesis via enzymatic delivery of aminoacyl-tRNAs to the ribosome. Although the functions of EEF1D in the translation process are recognized, EEF1D expression was found to be unbalanced in tumours. In the present study, we demonstrate the overexpression of EEF1D in OSCC (oral squamous cell carcinoma), and revealed that EEF1D and protein interaction partners promote the activation of cyclin D1 and vimentin proteins. EEF1D knockdown in OSCC reduced cell proliferation and induced EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) phenotypes, including cell invasion. Taken together, these results define EEF1D as a critical inducer of OSCC proliferation and EMT.