The Effects of Quercetin on Apoptosis and Cell Proliferation in A375 Melanoma Cells

Abstract

Quercetin, a bioflavonoid, is known to have various health benefits and has been used as a treatment for several forms of cancer. The aim of our research was to understand quercetin effects on cell growth and apoptosis pathways in a melanoma cell line. A dose/toxicity curve was done to determine cell viability in relation to a 24 hr treatment with quercetin concentrations ranging from 25–150μM. To test the effects of quercetin on cell proliferation, melanoma cells were grown to confluence then wounded while being treated for 24 hr with 50μM quercetin. DMSO was used as a vehicle control. Average initial wound distance was measured at three sites along the wound. Wound closure (cell proliferation) was re‐measured after 24 hr and the rate of closure was used as an index of cell proliferative ability. Results of the wound assay showed 40% less regrowth for the cells treated with quercetin, indicating inhibition of proliferative ability. To determine whether the inhibition of proliferation was due to an increase in quercetin‐induced apoptosis, we used Annexin V/PI and flow cytometry to quantify early and late apoptosis following treatment and found that the increase in apoptotic cells mirrored the loss in proliferative ability. These results show that quercetin should be considered as an adjunct treatment to prevent proliferation of melanoma.Support or Funding InformationColorado Alliance for Minority Participation