Effects of Sclareol Against Small Cell Lung Carcinoma and the Related Mechanism: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Abstract

Background/Aim: This study aimed to investigate the anticancer effects and potential mechanisms of sclareol in a human small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cell line. Materials and Methods: Cell viability was determined by the MIT assay. Cell cycle, apoptosis and caspase activity were evaluated by flow cytometry. Cell cycle and DNA damage related protein expression was determined by western blotting. In vivo evaluation of sclareol was carried out in xenografted tumor mice models. Results: Sclareol significantly reduced cell viability, induced G(1) phase arrest and subsequently triggered apoptosis in H1688 cells. In addition, this sclareol-induced growth arrest was associated with DNA damage as indicated by phosphorylation of H2AX, activation of ATR and Chk1. Moreover, in vivo evaluation of sclareol showed that it could inhibit tumor weight and volume in a H1688 xenograft model. Conclusion: Sclareol might be a novel and effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of SCLC patients.