Antitumor Effect of the Synthesized Chalcone Analogues on HeLa Cell Line

Chalcones represent a type of flavonoids which are located at vegetative and reproductive organs of plants and they can be metabolic progenitor molecules for several flavonoids and isoflavonoids. Many studies indicated that molecular structure of chalcone accountable for their anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. The aim of our research was to investigate anti-tumor effect and mechanism of action of three synthesized chalcone analogues on HeLa cells. The anti-tumor effectiveness of chalcone analogues was compared to effects of the dehydrozingerone and cisplatin that were used as referent substances.

The viability of the treated cells was evaluated using MTT assay. Evaluation of cell death was determined by flow cytometry and cells were stained with Annexin V-FITC/7-AAD. The result of our research indicated that used chalcones have stronger antitumor effect relative to the dehydrozingerone and cisplatin.

The IC₅₀ values of the chalcones ranged between 1.69-6.18 μM, with CH1 being more cytotoxic after 24 h of treatment, while CH3 being more cytotoxic after 48 h of treatment on HeLa cells. All investigated chalcones induced apoptosis in HeLa cells via mitochondrial pathway, which was detected expression Bax and Bcl- 2 proteins.

Our results provided evidence that chalcones induced apoptosis in HeLa cervical carcinoma through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanism of chalcones-induced cell death.