Endocrine Abstracts

Baicalein induces cell apoptosis via the MAPK pathway in FRO anaplastic thyroid cancer cells.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of malignancies which grow very rapidly. Although several conventional medications have been applied for the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer, but current therapies still rather limited and novel therapeutic strategies are required. Baicalein is a flavone, a type of flavonoid, originally isolated from the roots of Scutellaria baicaiensis and S. lateriflora, and is known various biological properties such as antiinflammation, antioxidation, neuroprotection, antiallergy, and anticancer etc.

In this present study, we aimed to investigate the potential effects of baicalein on FRO anaplastic thyroid cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms through which baicalein exerts its action.

Cell viability assay was indicated that baicalein potently suppressed the cell growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner. We also found that baicalein can induce the expression of apoptotic proteins, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, PARP, and Cox-2 and the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, baicalein decreased the expression levels of E-cadherin and N-cadherin in FRO cells.

In conclusion, these findings suggested that baicalein can induce apoptosis in anaplastic thyroid cancer cells through inhibition of the MAPK pathway.