Carnosol and carnosic acid may be a promising anticancer agent in non-small cell lung cancer treatment

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the possible anticancer and apoptotic effect of carnosol and carnosic acid on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines in vitro. Materials and Methods: Three different NSCLC cell lines (H441, H520, and H661) were used in the study and treatment (carnosol and carnosic acid treatment) and control (no treatment) groups were established in all cell lines. The IC50 doses were determined by MTT method on NSCLC cell lines and the changes in expression levels of apoptosis-related genes (Bax, Bak, caspase-3, p53, c-Myc, Bcl-2, and Bcl-XL) were demonstrated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and apoptosis was confirmed by flow cytometry. The treatment group and control group results were compared. Results: The IC50 doses of carnosol and carnosic acid were determined; 60 µM for the H441, 20 µM for the H661, 40 µM for the H520, 20 µM for the H441, 40 µM for the H661, 40 µM for the H520, respectively. Carnosol treatment increased Bax, Bak, caspase-3, and p53 expression but decreased Bcl-XL expression in studied lung cancer cell lines. Carnosic acid treatment increased apoptotic Bax, Bak, caspase-3, and p53 expression but decreased antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL expression (p