Baicalein suppresses the growth of the human thyroid cancer cells by inducing mitotic catastrophe, apoptosis and autophagy via NF-kB signalling pathway

Purpose: The current study aimed at investigating the anticancer effects of plant-based flavone Baicalein against the thyroid cancer. Methods: Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay. Flow cytometric-based estimation of cell cycle analysis was done for determining the cancer cell phase distribution. DARE staining method followed by fluorescent microscope examination was used for inferring the cancer cell apoptosis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used for detection of autophagosomes. Western blotting was done for protein concentration estimation. Results: Baicalein induced dose-dependent decline in proliferation of MDA-T68 thyroid cancer cells, while the reduction of cell proliferation was surprisingly lower for normal thyrocytes. IC50 of 10 mu M was estimated against cancer cells. Bai- calein induced cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Induction of apoptosis was attributed to increase in apoptotic protein concentration and signal was mediated through change Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. The autophagic cell death occurred in cancer cells when treated with Baicalein. The mechanism of cell death was inferred as modulation of NF-kB signaling pathway. Baicalein was also seen to induce mitotic cell cycle arrest in thyroid cancer cells by reducing the concentration of Cyclin B1 mitotic protein. Conclusion: The results of current study suggest Baicalein as an important anticancer agent against thyroid cancer. Future research to further investigate and enhance the effects of Baicalein against thyroid cancer is needed.