The effect of rutin on the expression of Bax and Bcl2 genes in oral cancer cells (HN5)

Abstract

Introduction: Considering that the side effects of chemical drugs for chemotherapy in cancer patients are significant and consuming natural nutrients such as rutin has anti-cancer effects and prevents cancer, we decided to evaluate the effect of this anti-cancer substance on HN5 oral cancer cells. In this study, we will investigate the effect of rutin and nanorutin on the expression of Bax and Bcl2 genes. Materials and Methods: In this study, rutin nanoparticles were prepared by ultrasound and solvent evaporation and evaluated by nanomaterial evaluation methods (including particle size and morphology). Then, to evaluate the cytotoxicity of rutin and nanorutin in 24 and 48 hours by MTT test of cells and the expression of Bax and Bcl2 genes was evaluated by Real Time RT-PCR method. For statistical analysis of data, t-test and ANOVA were performed by SPSS software version 17 and a significant level of p≤0.05 was considered. Results: Evaluation of the prepared nanoparticles showed an average particle size of 75 nm and a spherical morphology. The results of MTT test evaluating the cytotoxicity of rutin showed that rutin had no toxic effect on HN5 cells for 24 and 48 hours at different concentrations, but nanorutin had a toxic effect on HN5 cells at 24 and 48 hours at all concentrations, and its IC50 was calculated 30,51 and 27,34 at 24 and 48 h, respectively (p <0.05). The results of Bcl2 gene expression in the presence of rutin and nanorutin showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (p <0.05). The results of Bax gene expression did not show a significant change in exposure to rutin and nanorotin (p> 0.05). Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in rutin treated cells was not significantly different, but nanorutin increased Bax/Bcl-2 expression (p <0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, the mechanism of induction of nanorutin cell death was the apoptosis internal pathway. Due to the increase of more than 100 times the toxicity of nanorutin compared to rutin on oral cancer cells, which indicates the importance of increasing the rutin contact with cells and reducing particle size. Up to nanometer in size, it seems that this material can be a good option for designing anti-cancer drugs, especially in combination with chemical anti-cancer drugs.