ABSTRACT: Cordycepin, an active ingredient of the insect fungus Cordyceps militaris, is a category of compounds that exhibit significant therapeutic activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of cordycepin on cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle, in A549 human lung cancer cells. MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of cordycepin on A549 cell growth. Apoptotic effect was observed using cell morphology, DAPI staining and DNA fragmentation studies. Flow cytometry (FCM) analysis was used to analyze cell cycle status after cordycepin treatment. Furthermore apoptosis was assayed using Annexin V-Alexa Fluor 488. Results of MTT assay showed that cordycepin significantly inhibits cell proliferation with IC50 value of 64 µg/ml. The number of rounding up cells increase with cordycepin treatment and showed changes in cellular morphology. In DNA fragmentation studies a typical ladder pattern was observed on agarose gel and formation of apoptotic bodies was further confirmed using DAPI staining. The FCM analysis of cordycepin treated cells showed that apoptosis rate increased with the increase in dosage. In conclusion cordycepin induces apoptosis in A549 human lung cancer.
TULI HS, KUMAR G, SANDHU SS, and Kumar A. Apoptotic effect of cordycepin on A549 human lung cancer cell line. Apoptosis. 19:20.