Anticancer Potential of Farnesol Against Human Osteosarcoma Saos-2 Cells and Human Colorectal Carcinoma HCT-116 Cells

Zakir Hussain Fathima Hinaz; Santhosh Pragya; Devaraj Ezhilarasan; Karthik Shree Harini

doi:10.7759/cureus.49372

Anticancer Potential of Farnesol Against Human Osteosarcoma Saos-2 Cells and Human Colorectal Carcinoma HCT-116 Cells

Cureus. 2023 Nov 24;15(11):e49372. doi: 10.7759/cureus.49372. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Authors

Zakir Hussain Fathima Hinaz¹, Santhosh Pragya¹, Devaraj Ezhilarasan², Karthik Shree Harini²

Affiliations

¹ Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND.
² Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, IND.

Abstract

Introduction: Increased colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and osteosarcoma prevalence, low survival rate, poor prognosis, and the limitations of existing anticancer therapies like side effects of drugs, non-specificity, short half-life, etc., pose a need for novel anticancer drugs. Farnesol, an organic sesquiterpene compound, found in the essential oils of various plants has been shown to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. However, the anticancer effect of farnesol against CRC and osteosarcoma has not yet been adequately elucidated.

Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the anticancer effects of farnesol against human osteosarcoma and CRC cell lines.

Materials and methods: Human osteosarcoma (Saos-2) and colorectal carcinoma (HCT-116) cell lines were procured and cultured at 37^oC and 5% CO₂. The cells were treated with 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 µM/ml and 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 µM/ml of farnesol for 24 hours, respectively. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay was performed to assess the cytotoxicity of farnesol on Saos-2 and HCT-116 cells. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining was carried out to analyze apoptosis. 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining was done to observe the nuclear changes. Dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate staining was performed to assess the farnesol-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated cell death.

Results: Farnesol reduced the viability and proliferation of Saos-2 and HCT-116 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Farnesol was able to alter the cellular and nuclear morphology of Saos-2 and HCT-116 cells, promoting cell death. Farnesol-induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma and colorectal carcinoma cell lines. Early apoptosis was observed in farnesol-treated HCT-116 cells. Additionally, ROS-mediated apoptotic cell death was reported in Saos-2 cells.

Conclusion: Farnesol has the potential to induce cytotoxicity against human osteosarcoma and CRC cell lines.

Keywords: apoptosis; colorectal carcinoma; cytotoxicity; farnesol; osteosarcoma.