Therapeutic Potential of 3-Hydroxyflavone: Inducing Apoptosis and Modulating Inflammation in Lung Cancer A549 Cells
Abstract
Lung cancer is a primary cause of cancer deaths globally. Flavonoids have anticancer qualities, although flavonol or 3-hydroxyflavone (3HF)’s effects on lung cancer are unknown. 3HF’s effects on cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and gene expression in human lung cancer A549 cells are examined to determine its anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. A549 cells were treated with 3HF (25-250 μg/mL) and cytotoxicity was measured using MTT test. Phase-contrast microscopy examined morphological changes. Cell movement was measured by the scratch wound healing technique, and apoptotic cells were detected by AO/EtBr staining. Gene expression analysis for apoptotic and inflammatory markers was done with real-time PCR. Treatment with 3HF dramatically reduced cell viability, dose-dependently, with an IC5 0 value of 135 μg/mL. Apoptosis was shown by cell shrinkage and membrane blebbing. We also found considerable cell migration inhibition. AO/EtBr staining indicated increased apoptosis, whereas PCR analysis showed Bax and caspase-3 overexpression and Bcl-2, TNF-α, and NF-κB downregulation. This suggests 3HF is a promising lung cancer treatment.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
Saveetha College of Pharmacy, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences
Project Number
Under graduate project study
Ethical Statement
As this work is based solely on in vitro experiments using established human cell lines, no animals or human participants were involved, and therefore ethical clearance was not required.
Thanks
Thank the editorial team
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Basic Pharmacology
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
March 1, 2026
Submission Date
April 14, 2025
Acceptance Date
January 21, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 46 Number: 1
APA
Cheriyan, B. V., Karunakar, K. K., Yuvasre, V., Kathiravan, K., K, S., Pandi, K., & Elumalai, P. (2026). Therapeutic Potential of 3-Hydroxyflavone: Inducing Apoptosis and Modulating Inflammation in Lung Cancer A549 Cells. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy, 46(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.52794/hujpharm.1675997
AMA
1.Cheriyan BV, Karunakar KK, Yuvasre V, et al. Therapeutic Potential of 3-Hydroxyflavone: Inducing Apoptosis and Modulating Inflammation in Lung Cancer A549 Cells. HUJPHARM. 2026;46(1):1-11. doi:10.52794/hujpharm.1675997
Chicago
Cheriyan, Binoy Varghese, Karthik K. Karunakar, V.k. Yuvasre, et al. 2026. “Therapeutic Potential of 3-Hydroxyflavone: Inducing Apoptosis and Modulating Inflammation in Lung Cancer A549 Cells”. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy 46 (1): 1-11. https://doi.org/10.52794/hujpharm.1675997.
EndNote
Cheriyan BV, Karunakar KK, Yuvasre V, Kathiravan K, K S, Pandi K, Elumalai P (March 1, 2026) Therapeutic Potential of 3-Hydroxyflavone: Inducing Apoptosis and Modulating Inflammation in Lung Cancer A549 Cells. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy 46 1 1–11.
IEEE
[1]B. V. Cheriyan et al., “Therapeutic Potential of 3-Hydroxyflavone: Inducing Apoptosis and Modulating Inflammation in Lung Cancer A549 Cells”, HUJPHARM, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 1–11, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.52794/hujpharm.1675997.
ISNAD
Cheriyan, Binoy Varghese - Karunakar, Karthik K. - Yuvasre, V.k. - Kathiravan, Kavya - K, Srinidhi - Pandi, Kaniga - Elumalai, Perumal. “Therapeutic Potential of 3-Hydroxyflavone: Inducing Apoptosis and Modulating Inflammation in Lung Cancer A549 Cells”. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy 46/1 (March 1, 2026): 1-11. https://doi.org/10.52794/hujpharm.1675997.
JAMA
1.Cheriyan BV, Karunakar KK, Yuvasre V, Kathiravan K, K S, Pandi K, Elumalai P. Therapeutic Potential of 3-Hydroxyflavone: Inducing Apoptosis and Modulating Inflammation in Lung Cancer A549 Cells. HUJPHARM. 2026;46:1–11.
MLA
Cheriyan, Binoy Varghese, et al. “Therapeutic Potential of 3-Hydroxyflavone: Inducing Apoptosis and Modulating Inflammation in Lung Cancer A549 Cells”. Hacettepe University Journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy, vol. 46, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 1-11, doi:10.52794/hujpharm.1675997.
Vancouver
1.Binoy Varghese Cheriyan, Karthik K. Karunakar, V.k. Yuvasre, Kavya Kathiravan, Srinidhi K, Kaniga Pandi, Perumal Elumalai. Therapeutic Potential of 3-Hydroxyflavone: Inducing Apoptosis and Modulating Inflammation in Lung Cancer A549 Cells. HUJPHARM. 2026 Mar. 1;46(1):1-11. doi:10.52794/hujpharm.1675997