ObjectiveTo explore the effects of rotenone on the proliferation and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by regulating the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3) pathway.

MethodsOral squamous cell carcinoma SCC25 cells were divided into control group, low-concentration group (5 μmol/L rotenone), medium-concentration group (10 μmol/L rotenone), high-concentration group (20 μmol/L rotenone), and AG490 group (40 μmol/L JAK2 inhibitor AG490). MTT method was used to detect viability of SCC25 cells. Clone formation test was used to detect the proliferation of SCC25 cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis of SCC25 cells. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of proliferation, apoptosis and pathway-related proteins in SCC25 cells.

ResultsCompared with the control group, the survival rate of SCC25 cells, the number of cloned cells, and the expression levels of c-Myc, CyclinD1, p-JAK2/JAK2, and p-STAT3/STAT3 in the low concentration group, medium concentration group, high concentration group decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner, while the apoptotic rate, caspase-3 and Bax expression levels significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01);the survival rate of SCC25 cells, number of cloned cells, and the expression levels of c-Myc, CyclinD1, p-JAK2/JAK2, and p-STAT3/STAT3 in the AG490 group decreased significantly, while the apoptotic rate, caspase-3 and Bax expression levels increased significantly (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01). Compared with the high concentration group, there was no significant difference in cell survival rate, number of cloned cells, c-Myc, CyclinD1, p-JAK2/JAK2, p-STAT3/STAT3, apoptosis rate, caspase-3, Bax expression levels in the AG490 group (P>0.05).

ConclusionsThe inhibition of proliferation and the promotion of apoptosis of SCC25 cells by rotenone may be related to the inhibition of JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway.