Resveratrol enhanced anticancer effects of cisplatin on non-small cell lung cancer cell lines by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis

Abstract Resveratrol is a plant-derived natural compound which possesses potential anticancer properties. However, there are scarce reports on its anticancer effects in non-small cell lung cancer and its auxiliary function on the anticancer effects of cisplatin. In the present study, we investigated the effects of resveratrol on the cell viability and apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer H838 and H520 cell lines. It has been found that resveratrol inhibited the proliferation of H838 and H520 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and apoptosis was increased in cells treated with resveratrol which was associated with the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol, and abnormal expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins. Above all, resveratrol enhanced the effects of cisplatin on inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, induction of cell apoptosis, depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c and regulation on expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. Results from the present study demonstrated that resveratrol exhibited its anticancer effects on non-small cell lung cancer H838 and H520 cell lines, and enhanced the antitumor effects of cisplatin by regulating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. These results have put forward the rationale for further basic research and preclinical investigation on the anticancer effects of resveratrol against human non-small cell lung cancer.