Chrysin rich Scutellaria discolor Colebr. induces cervical cancer cell death via the induction of cell cycle arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis.

Aims: Scutellaria discolor Colebr. has been extensively used in traditional medicine against several diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer potential of S. discolor and to isolate the bioactive principle responsible for the anticancer activity.

Methods: Cytotoxicity experiments were performed on cancer and normal cells using MTT assay. The mechanism of cell death was evaluated using real time PCR array, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and Western blotting. MTT assay guided isolation (partition and column chromatography) was performed to identify the antiproliferative principle. Quantification of the active principle was done using HPLC.

Key Findings: Acetone extract of S. discolor (SDE) inhibited the growth and survival of cancer cells to varying degree, but the inhibition was found to be maximum in cervical cancer cell lines. There was no significant toxicity induced to normal cells. The cell death was mediated through apoptosis. There was increased mitochondrial membrane depolarization, expression of Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3 and cleaved-PARP indicating that SDE-induced caspase dependent apoptosis in HeLa cells. Moreover, SDE caused cell cycle arrest in G2 phase in HeLa cells. Cytotoxicity guided fractionation of SDE led to the isolation of chrysin as the active principle responsible for the antiproliferative activity for cervical cancer cells. Interestingly, chrysin was the major phytochemical constituent present in S. discolor.

Significance: S. discolor is an important anticancer plant and a new source of chrysin.