Title:Juglone Exerts Cytotoxic, Anti-proliferative and Anti-invasive Effects on Glioblastoma Multiforme in a Cell Culture Model
VOLUME: 16 ISSUE: 9
Author(s):Dziugas Meskelevicius, Kastytis Sidlauskas, Ruta Bagdonaviciute, Julius Liobikas and Daiva Majiene
Affiliation:Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu str. 4, LT-50009 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Keywords:Juglone, glioblastoma, hydrogen peroxide, Reactive Species, cytotoxicity, naphtoquinone.
Abstract:In this study we evaluated the impact of juglone on rat glioma C6 cell culture viability, proliferation and
invasiveness in vitro. Juglone induced C6 cell death with EC50 concentrations equal to 10.4 ± 1.6 µM after 24h
incubation. At relatively low concentrations juglone significantly decreased cell proliferation, reduced spheroid
invasiveness and suppressed “wound” healing. In addition, generation of intracellular reactive oxygen and nitrogen
species (RS) was detected in cells treated with juglone. Noteworthy, juglone was relatively stable in cell culture
medium and levels of H2O2 generated from juglone due to its probable reaction with medium components were not
sufficient to affect the viability of glioma cells. Moreover, addition of catalase to the cell medium did not reduce the
cytotoxicity of juglone. Therefore, we propose that cell death may be induced through the action of RS other than
H2O2, However the direct effect of juglone on the cellular targets could not be excluded either. In conclusion, juglone
exerted cytotoxic, anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects on C6 rat glioma cells in vitro.
