Sanguinarine Attenuates Lung Cancer Progression via Oxidative Stress-induced Cell Apoptosis

Background:: Lung cancer (LC) incidence is rising globally and is reflected as a leading cause of cancer-associated deaths. Lung cancer leads to multistage carcinogenesis with gradually increasing genetic and epigenetic changes. Aims:: Sanguinarine (sang) mediated the anticancer effect in LCC lines by involving the stimulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), impeding Bcl2, and enhancing Bax and other apoptosis-associated protein Caspase-3, -9, and -PARP, subsequently inhibiting the LC invasion and migration. Objective:: This study was conducted to investigate the apoptotic rate and mechanism of Sang in human LC cells (LCC) H522 and H1299. Methods:: MTT assay to determine the IC50, cell morphology, and colony formation assay were carried out to show the sanguinarine effect on the LC cell line. Moreover, scratch assay and transwell assay were performed to check the migration. Western blotting and qPCR were done to show its effects on targeted proteins and genes. ELISA was performed to show the VEGF effect after Sanguinarine treatment. Immunofluorescence was done to check the interlocution of the targeted protein. Results:: Sang significantly inhibited the growth of LCC lines in both time- and dose-dependent fashions. Flow cytometry examination and Annexin-V labeling determined that Sang increased the apoptotic cell percentage. H522 and H1299 LCC lines treated with Sang showed distinctive characteristics of apoptosis, including morphological changes and DNA fragmentation. Conclusion:: Sang exhibited anticancer potential in LCC lines and could induce apoptosis and impede the invasion and migration of LCC, emerging as a promising anticancer natural agent in lung cancer management.