Diosgenin inhibits hTERT gene expression in the A549 lung cancer cell line.

BACKGROUND

Diosgenin, a steroidal saponin from a therapeutic herb, fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum-graceum L.), has been recognized to have anticancer properties. Telomerase activity is not detected in typical healthy cells, while in cancer cell telomerase expression is reactivated, therefore providing a promising cancer therapeutic target.

METHODS

We studied the inhibitory effect of diosgenin on human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (hTERT) expression which is critical for telomerase activity. MTT- assays and qRT-PCR analysis were conducted to assess cytotoxicity and hTERT gene expression inhibition effects, respectively.

RESULTS

MTT results showed that IC50 values for 24, 48 and 72h after treatment were 47, 44 and 43μM, respectively. Culturing cells with diosgenin treatment caused down-regulation of hTERT expression.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that diosgenin inhibits telomerase activity by down-regulation of hTERT gene expression in the A549 lung cancer cell line.