Anticancer Potential of Farnesol Against Human Osteosarcoma Saos-2 Cells and Human Colorectal Carcinoma HCT-116 Cells.

Abstract

Increased colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and osteosarcomaprevalence, low survival rate, poor prognosis, and the limitations of existing anticancer therapies like side effects of drugs, non-specificity, short half-life, etc., pose a need for novel anticancer drugs.Farnesol, an organic sesquiterpene compound, found in the essential oils of various plants has been shown to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. However, the anticancer effect of farnesol againstCRCand osteosarcoma has not yet been adequately elucidated. The aim of the study was to analyze the anticancer effects of farnesol against human osteosarcoma and CRC cell lines. Human osteosarcoma (Saos-2) and colorectal carcinoma (HCT-116) cell lines were procured and cultured at37oC and 5% CO2. The cells were treated with 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 µM/ml and 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 µM/ml of farnesol for 24 hours, respectively.3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromideassay was performed to assess the cytotoxicity of farnesol on Saos-2 and HCT-116 cells. Acridine orange/ethidium bromidestaining was carried out to analyze apoptosis.4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindolestaining was done to observe the nuclear changes.Dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetatestaining was performed to assess the farnesol-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated cell death. Farnesol reduced the viability and proliferation of Saos-2 and HCT-116 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Farnesol was able to alter the cellular and nuclear morphology of Saos-2 and HCT-116 cells, promoting cell death. Farnesol-induced apoptosis inhuman osteosarcoma and colorectal carcinoma cell lines. Early apoptosis was observed in farnesol-treated HCT-116 cells. Additionally, ROS-mediated apoptotic cell death was reported in Saos-2 cells. Farnesol has the potential to induce cytotoxicity against human osteosarcoma and CRC cell lines.