Bostrycin inhibits growth of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells by inducing mitochondrial apoptosis

Background: Bostrycin is a natural pigment product with anthraquinone skeleton, which has excellent inhibitory effect on a variety cancer cells. However, its suppression on tongue squamous cell carcinoma has not been reported. Methods: We studied the effects of bostrycin on the cell growth and apoptosis of tongue squamous cell carcinoma in vitro, and explored its mechanism. Results: Bostrycin could inhibit the proliferation and migration of tongue squamous cell carcinoma by arresting cell cycle at G2/M phase, and inducing cell apoptosis with mitochondrial membrane potential changes. West-blotting analysis also showed that bostrycin could inhibit the growth of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells by activating the apoptosis-related signal proteins especially in mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Conclusions: Bostrycin can be used as a new anti-tumor candidate drug for further research. Our study provides reference for the potential application of bostrycin in the treatment of the tongue squamous cell carcinoma.