The effect and mechanisms of melatonin on the proliferation and apoptosis of lung cancer cells

Published on Friday, 04 March 2022

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to observe the effects and mechianisms of melatonin on the proliferation and apoptosis of lung cancer (LC) cells.

A549 cells were treated with a concentration gradient (0-100 μM) of melatonin for 24 hours, and cell viability was detected by XTT ((2,3-Bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl) -2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide)) colorimetry. Melatonin with a concentration of 50 μM was selected to interact with the LC cells for ten days, and then a colony formation assay was used to detect the proliferation of the LC cells.

TUNEL (Terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl Transferase Mediated Nick End Labeling) staining was used to evaluate the amount of apoptosis in the two groups.

Finally, Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of related proteins in the p38MAP (mitogen-activated protein) signaling pathway. Meanwhile, another experiment, CCK-8 cell proliferation test, was conducted to detect the OD540 absorbance of LC cells at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours.

Melatonin inhibited the proliferation of LC cells in a concentration-dependent (5-100 μM) manner (P < 0.05), and inhibited the proliferation of LC cells in a time-dependent (0-96 hour) manner (P < 0.05). Melatonin (50 μM) could significantly inhibit the colony formation ability of LC cells (P < 0.05). The ratio of LC cells in the G0/G1 phase in the melatonin group increased, while the ratio of cells in the G2/M and S phase was significantly reduced (P < 0.05).

Melatonin significantly promoted the apoptosis of LC cells (P < 0.05) and activate the phosphorylation of p38 (P < 0.05).

Download the complete article

About this publication.

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Melatonin tablets. From 30-40mg/day up to 200mg/day orally in patients with advanced stage of cancer disease and/or patients without respond to traditional treatments);

- Melatonin use in cancer patients have started in 1974, when melatonin prepared according to Prof. Di Bella’s formulation [...]. For 11 days was administered to the patient, admitted to the general medical ward at the Maggiore-Pizzardi Hospital in Bologna, very slowly (over approx. 8 hours) and intravenously administered 1000 mg of melatonin for 11 days. During the course of each day, the patient was intravenously administered 4 saline drips of 500 ml, each containing ten 25 mg bottles of freeze-dried melatonin, lasting 2 hours, totaling 1000 mg per day. No other drug of any kind was administered in order to ascertain the effect of the MLT without interference [...]. From Melatonin with adenosine solubilized in water and stabilized with glycine for oncological treatment - technical preparation, effectivity and clinical findings;

- About Melatonin - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;

- Publication: Melatonin anticancer effects: Review (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication: Key aspects of melatonin physiology: 30 years of research (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Cyclophosphamide 50mg tablets and/or Hydroxyurea 500mg tablets, one or two per day);

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Bromocriptine and/or Cabergoline);

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Somatostatin, Octreotide, Sandostatin LAR, analogues and/or derivatives);

- Somatostatin in oncology, the overlooked evidences - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;

- Publication, 2018 Jul: Over-Expression of GH/GHR in Breast Cancer and Oncosuppressor Role of Somatostatin as a Physiological Inhibitor (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2018 Sep: The over-expression of GH/GHR in tumour tissues with respect to healthy ones confirms its oncogenic role and the consequent oncosuppressor role of its physiological inhibitor, somatostatin: a review of the literature (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2019 Aug: The Entrapment of Somatostatin in a Lipid Formulation: Retarded Release and Free Radical Reactivity (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2019 Sep: Effects of Somatostatin and Vitamin C on the Fatty Acid Profile of Breast Cancer Cell Membranes (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2019 Sep: Effects of somatostatin, curcumin, and quercetin on the fatty acid profile of breast cancer cell membranes (from Di Bella's Foundation);