Middle East Journal of Cancer

Patuletin Caused Growth Inhibition of NCI-H460 Cancer Cells via Induction of Apoptosis

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

Sana Irshad 1
Hazar Khan 2
Asma Khawer 1
Muhammad Aitmaud Uddolah Khan Khan 3
Anum Razzak 1
Mudassar Azhar 4
Talat Roome 1
Shaheen Faizi 5
Ahsana Dar Farooq 6
Muhammad Kashif 1

1 Department of Pharmacology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan

2 Department of Pharmacology, Makran Medical College, Turbat, Pakistan

3 Department of Pharmacology, Liaquat National Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan

4 Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Salim Habib University, Karachi, Pakistan

5 International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan

6 Hamdard Al-Majeed College of Eastern Medicine, Hamdard University, Karachi, Pakistan

https://doi.org/10.30476/mejc.2026.107774.2301
Abstract
Background: Non-small cell lung cancer is among the major causes of mortality, globally. Previous studies demonstrated therapeutic potential of Tagetes patula flower methanolic extract against this cancer. The present study aimed at evaluating the anticancer potential of patuletin, a flavonoid believed to underlie medicinal effects of Tagetes flower. 
Method: This experimental study was performed on NCI-H460 cell lines. The cell viability was assessed using Sulforhodamine B assay followed by flow-cytometry-based cell cycle analysis (propidium iodide), assessment of apoptosis [mitochondrial membrane potential and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) fluorescence], and deoxyribonucleic acid [DNA (plasmid and genomic)] fragmentation. The expression of BAK, BCL-XL and p53 genes were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The doxorubicin served as standard drug. Statistical analysis (One-way ANOVA followed by Least Significant Difference) was performed using SPSS software (v19.0, Chicago, IL, USA).  The level of significance was set at *(P < 0.05), **(P < 0.01), and ***(P < 0.005).
Results:  Patuletin arrested the growth of NCI-H460 cells with a 50% growth inhibition (GI50) of 61 µg/mL. The cell cycle analysis revealed a significant increase in Go/G1 and S phases, while G2/M phase demonstrated a decline. The apoptotic index exhibited significant elevation, while DNA remained intact. The expression of all tested genes was altered, but BAK exhibited remarkable upregulation.
Conclusion: Patuletin caused growth inhibition of NCI-H460 via the induction of BAK-mediated apoptosis. Therefore, it presents itself as a promising candidate for anti-non-small cell lung cancer drug discovery program.

Keywords

Carcinoma
Non-small-cell lung
Apoptosis
Antineoplastic agents
Subjects

Please cite this article as:

Irshad S, Khan H, Khawer A, Khan MAU, Razzak A, Azhar M, et al. Patuletin caused growth inhibition of NCI-H460 cancer cells via induction of apoptosis. Middle East J Cancer. 2026;17(4):321-32. doi: 10.30476/mejc.2026.107774.2301.

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