Induction of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis by essential oil of Toona sinensis root through Akt, mTOR and NF-κB signalling pathways in human renal cell carcinoma cells

Yu-Chi Chen ^a,b, Chiao-Ling Hsieh ^c, Bu-Miin Huang ^d,e, Yung-Chia Chen ^c,f,*

a Department of Urology, E-Da Cancer Hospital, Kaohsiung, 824410, Taiwan

b School of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, 824410, Taiwan

c Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

d Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

e Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan

f Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Natural products have long been considered as a kind of complementary medicine. In this study, we investigate the apoptotic effect of essential oils of Toona sinensis roots (TSR) on human clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC). The sesquiterpene content of TSR essential oil was determined via GC/MS analysis. TSR decreased ccRCC cell viabilities, inducing ROS generation and reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, TSR inhibited Bcl-2 and Hsp90 expression but increased PARP-1 cleavage and cytochrome c release. Akt, mTOR and NF-κB phosphorylation and HIF-α expression were all inhibited, which likely contributed to the anti-proliferative and anti-adhesive effects of TSR.

Keywords: Apoptosis, Essential oil, Renal cell carcinoma, Signalling pathway, Toona sinensis

https://doi.org/10.38212/2224-6614.3367

(https://www.jfda-online.com/journal/vol29/iss3/4)