Antitumor Effects of Quercetin and Luteolin in A375 Cutaneous Melanoma Cell Line Are Mediated by Upregulation of P-ERK, c-Myc, and the Upstream GPER

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is the most aggressive and fatal malignancy among other skin cancers and its incidence has risen steadily recently around the world. Hormone-related therapy, particularly estrogen (E2) has been used as a prospective strategy for CM treatment. Quercetin and luteolin are flavon...

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Main Authors: Shaymaa A. Hussein, Nidaa A. Ababneh, Noor Tarawneh, Mohammad A. Ismail, Abdalla Awidi, Shtaywy Abdalla
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Life
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/3/417
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author Shaymaa A. Hussein
Nidaa A. Ababneh
Noor Tarawneh
Mohammad A. Ismail
Abdalla Awidi
Shtaywy Abdalla
author_facet Shaymaa A. Hussein
Nidaa A. Ababneh
Noor Tarawneh
Mohammad A. Ismail
Abdalla Awidi
Shtaywy Abdalla
author_sort Shaymaa A. Hussein
collection DOAJ
description Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is the most aggressive and fatal malignancy among other skin cancers and its incidence has risen steadily recently around the world. Hormone-related therapy, particularly estrogen (E2) has been used as a prospective strategy for CM treatment. Quercetin and luteolin are flavonoids with antitumor effects against a wide range of cancers including CM. However, the underlying mechanism of their actions through GPER in CM is not fully understood. We examined the anti-tumor effects of quercetin and luteolin on the A375 CM cell line through activation of the G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). MTT assay was performed to assess the impact of flavonoids on cell viability. Apoptosis and cell cycle were studied by flow cytometry. Cell migration was evaluated by transwell assay. GPER expression and the effect of the flavonoids on the key signaling proteins were confirmed by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot, respectively. Results showed that quercetin and luteolin inhibited proliferation and migration, induced apoptosis, and blocked the cell cycle at S and G2/M in A375 cells. Immunofluorescence and immunoblotting data demonstrated the presence of GPER in this cell line and the two flavonoids enhanced its expression except at the high concentration of 100 µM. Quercetin and luteolin enhanced P-ERK and c-Myc expression, an effect abolished by the GPER antagonist G15, confirming GPER-mediated signaling. In conclusion, quercetin and luteolin exhibited anti-tumor effects on A375 melanoma cells via GPER activation, suggesting their potential as anti-melanoma therapeutics.
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spelling doaj-art-856b95f6724240daa3ea09d374be62122025-08-20T02:42:38ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-03-0115341710.3390/life15030417Antitumor Effects of Quercetin and Luteolin in A375 Cutaneous Melanoma Cell Line Are Mediated by Upregulation of P-ERK, c-Myc, and the Upstream GPERShaymaa A. Hussein0Nidaa A. Ababneh1Noor Tarawneh2Mohammad A. Ismail3Abdalla Awidi4Shtaywy Abdalla5Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, JordanCell Therapy Center, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, JordanDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman 11733, JordanCell Therapy Center, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, JordanCell Therapy Center, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, JordanDepartment of Biological Sciences, School of Science, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, JordanCutaneous melanoma (CM) is the most aggressive and fatal malignancy among other skin cancers and its incidence has risen steadily recently around the world. Hormone-related therapy, particularly estrogen (E2) has been used as a prospective strategy for CM treatment. Quercetin and luteolin are flavonoids with antitumor effects against a wide range of cancers including CM. However, the underlying mechanism of their actions through GPER in CM is not fully understood. We examined the anti-tumor effects of quercetin and luteolin on the A375 CM cell line through activation of the G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). MTT assay was performed to assess the impact of flavonoids on cell viability. Apoptosis and cell cycle were studied by flow cytometry. Cell migration was evaluated by transwell assay. GPER expression and the effect of the flavonoids on the key signaling proteins were confirmed by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot, respectively. Results showed that quercetin and luteolin inhibited proliferation and migration, induced apoptosis, and blocked the cell cycle at S and G2/M in A375 cells. Immunofluorescence and immunoblotting data demonstrated the presence of GPER in this cell line and the two flavonoids enhanced its expression except at the high concentration of 100 µM. Quercetin and luteolin enhanced P-ERK and c-Myc expression, an effect abolished by the GPER antagonist G15, confirming GPER-mediated signaling. In conclusion, quercetin and luteolin exhibited anti-tumor effects on A375 melanoma cells via GPER activation, suggesting their potential as anti-melanoma therapeutics.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/3/417cutaneous melanomaG-protein coupled estrogen receptorGPER agonistGPER antagonistluteolinquercetin
spellingShingle Shaymaa A. Hussein
Nidaa A. Ababneh
Noor Tarawneh
Mohammad A. Ismail
Abdalla Awidi
Shtaywy Abdalla
Antitumor Effects of Quercetin and Luteolin in A375 Cutaneous Melanoma Cell Line Are Mediated by Upregulation of P-ERK, c-Myc, and the Upstream GPER
Life
cutaneous melanoma
G-protein coupled estrogen receptor
GPER agonist
GPER antagonist
luteolin
quercetin
title Antitumor Effects of Quercetin and Luteolin in A375 Cutaneous Melanoma Cell Line Are Mediated by Upregulation of P-ERK, c-Myc, and the Upstream GPER
title_full Antitumor Effects of Quercetin and Luteolin in A375 Cutaneous Melanoma Cell Line Are Mediated by Upregulation of P-ERK, c-Myc, and the Upstream GPER
title_fullStr Antitumor Effects of Quercetin and Luteolin in A375 Cutaneous Melanoma Cell Line Are Mediated by Upregulation of P-ERK, c-Myc, and the Upstream GPER
title_full_unstemmed Antitumor Effects of Quercetin and Luteolin in A375 Cutaneous Melanoma Cell Line Are Mediated by Upregulation of P-ERK, c-Myc, and the Upstream GPER
title_short Antitumor Effects of Quercetin and Luteolin in A375 Cutaneous Melanoma Cell Line Are Mediated by Upregulation of P-ERK, c-Myc, and the Upstream GPER
title_sort antitumor effects of quercetin and luteolin in a375 cutaneous melanoma cell line are mediated by upregulation of p erk c myc and the upstream gper
topic cutaneous melanoma
G-protein coupled estrogen receptor
GPER agonist
GPER antagonist
luteolin
quercetin
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/3/417
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