Eriodictyol modulates glioma cell autophagy and apoptosis by inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

Purpose: To investigate the effects of eriodictyol (ERD) on U251 human glioma cell cycle and viability, autophagy and apoptosis by modulation of PI3/Akt/mTOR signaling cascade. Methods: 740 Y-P was used to activate U251 human glioma cells. For exploring ERD effects, the U251 cells were treated with ERD and 740 Y-P together. MTT assay was used to elucidate cell viability and apoptosis. The expression of autophagic proteins (LC3B and Beclin-1), and apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) were quantified using Western blotting. To explore the role of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, their expression was measured in comparison to their respective phosphorylated derivatives by Western blotting. Results: ERD exposure downregulated p-PI3K and p-Akt protein expression. The results also indicate that ERD reduced cell viability and stimulated apoptosis in U251 cells (p < 0.05). Consequently, Bax expression was upregulated and the expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated. ERD enhanced the autophagy of glioma cells U251 by enhancing LC3B and Beclin-1 expression (p < 0.05). These effects were opposite to that revealed by 740 Y-P exposure alone. Conclusion: ERD reduces U251 human glioma cell viability, and triggers cell autophagy and apoptosis, which is significantly correlated to downregulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling cascade. Thus, the compound can potentially be used for the treatment of glioma.