Licochalcone A inhibiting proliferation of bladder cancer T24 cells by inducing reactive oxygen species production.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between proliferation inhibition and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by Licochalcone A (LCA). Cell viability was evaluated using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Intracellular ROS level was assessed using the 2, 7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) probe and dihydroethidium (DHE) probe assay. The results indicate that LCA inhibits human bladder cancer T24 proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of approximately 55 μM. The LCA-induced ROS production is inhibited by the co-treatment of LCA and free radical scavenger N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), on the contrary, the proliferation rate and ROS production increase when treated by the combination of LCA and L-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO). The ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) decreases in a concentration-dependent manner. The results suggest that LCA inhibits proliferation by increasing intracellular ROS levels resulted in an oxidative stress status in T24 cells.