The Effect of Dioscin on Apoptosis and PTEN and DACT1 Expression in Thyroid Cancer Cells

Abstract

Background: Currently, the growing resistance to chemotherapy presents a significant challenge in effectively managing and treating various forms of cancer. Some plants contain anti-cancer agents, whose derivatives have been proven effective for the treatment or prevention of human cancer. Dioscin is a natural steroidal saponin derived from several plants that exhibits potent anticancer effects. Objectives: This research sought to investigate the impact of dioscin on the expression levels of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and DACT1 genes, as well as its influence on apoptosis in thyroid cancer cells. Methods: Cancer cells were treated with dioscin for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. The viability and apoptosis were measured using MTT and annexin V-FITC staining. For toxicity measurement, a lactate dehydrogenase activity assay was used. Real-time PCR was employed to assess the expression levels of PTEN and DACT1. Results: Dioscin reduced cell viability after 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. This reduction in cell viability occurred along with the loss of plasma membrane integrity. Inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours of treatment were 35.45, 28.36, 10.53, and 1.89 μM, respectively. After treatment with the IC50 concentration for 24 hours, dioscin significantly increased apoptosis and the expression of PTEN and DACT1 genes (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Dioscin inhibited the growth and proliferation of thyroid cancer cells and triggered apoptosis. The antiproliferative effect is due to the stimulation of PTEN and DACT1 gene expression. These genes could potentially involve the suppression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. Therefore, dioscin would be a promising candidate for the development of anti-cancer treatments.