Astilbin from </em>Smilax glabra</em> Roxb. as a pro-apoptotic agent: cytotoxicity in multiple cancer cell lines and selectivity for 5637 bladder carcinoma

This study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of astilbin, derived from Smilax glabra Roxb., on multiple cancer cell lines, including 5637 (human bladder carcinoma), A549 (lung carcinoma), and HeLa (cervical adenocarcinoma), with a focus on apoptosis induction in 5637 cells. Using MTT assays, we observed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect in both A549 and 5637 cancer cell lines, with the latter showing greater sensitivity to the treatment. Additionally, astilbin demonstrated preferential toxicity toward cancer cells compared to normal HEK-293T cells. Hoechst 33342 staining revealed apoptotic nuclear changes, including chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation, in 5637 cells treated with astilbin at varying concentrations. Conventional PCR analysis further confirmed the upregulation of apoptotic markers, including BAX, CASP8, and CASP3, suggesting activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. These findings highlight astilbin’s selective anticancer properties and apoptotic mechanisms. Future studies should focus on optimizing its potency, validating these effects in in vivo models, and exploring its potential in combination therapies.