Anticancer Effects of Tangeretin on Apoptosis Induction and Cell Growth Inhibition through Mediating Reactive Oxygen Species in Endometrial Cancer Cells

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by ahduag

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy, with incidence and mortality continuing to increase worldwide and prognosis remaining poor for metastatic or recurrent disease. Tangeretin, a citrus flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown anticancer activity in multiple tumor types, though its role in endometrial cancer cells was unclear. This study examines effects on Ishikawa cell viability, proliferation, migration, reactive oxygen species generation, and apoptosis. Tangeretin suppresses viability, proliferation and migration, enhances ROS, and induces annexin V/PI-confirmed apoptotic death supported by BAX expression.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Endometrial cancer background and clinical burden

Current treatment strategies and unmet needs

Phytochemicals and flavonoids as anticancer agents

Rationale for tangeretin and study objective

Prev. Nutr. Food Sci. 2025;30(6):549-556 [https://doi.org/10.3746/pnf.2025.30.6.549](https://doi.org/10.3746/pnf.2025.30.6.549)[ ](https://doi.org/10.3746/pnf.2025.30.6.549)[ISSN 2287-8602](ISSN 2287-8602) Anticancer Effects of Tangeretin on Apoptosis Induction and Cell Growth Inhibition through Mediating Reactive Oxygen Species in Endometrial Cancer Cells Hyowon Lee1*, Seung-Hyeon Ahn 1*, Dohee Ahn 1, Hong Kyu Lee2, and Kyung-Chul Choi 1 1 Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk 28644, Korea 2 Department of Companion Animal Health, College of Biomedical Science & Health, Inje University, Gyeongnam 50834, Korea ABSTRACT: Endometrial cancer, the most common gynecologic malignancy, originates within the epithelial lining of the uterus. Although early diagnosis can lead to effective treatment and improved recovery rates, the worldwide incidence and mortality rates of this cancer continue to rise. The prognosis is particularly poor in cases of metastatic or recurrent disease. Tangeretin, a flavonoid found in citrus fruits, is known for its various biological properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. It has demonstrated anticancer effects against a range of cancers, including bladder, colorectal carcinoma, and breast cancer. However, its effects on endometrial cancer cells have not been previously examined. Here, we investigate the effects oftangeretin on cell viability, proliferation, migration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and apoptosis in Ishikawa cells, a well-characterized epithelial model used in endometrial research. Our results show that tangeretin treatment significantly inhibits the viability and proliferation of Ishikawa cells. In addition, it suppresses cell migration, as evidenced by wound healing assays. The 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay revealed thattangeretin enhances ROS generation. Moreover, an annexin V/propidium iodide assay confirmed that tangeretin induces apoptotic death in Ishikawa cells. The expression of B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein was analyzed to validate the induction of apoptosis. These findings suggest that tangeretin exhibits anticancer effects on endometrial cancer cells by inhibiting proliferation and migration while promoting apoptosis. Keywords: apoptosis, endometrial cancer, reactive oxygen species, tangeretin INTRODUCTION Endometrial cancer, a malignancy originating from the uterus’s inner lining known as the endometrium, is most frequently diagnosed in peri-and post-menopausal women (Passarello et al., 2019; Cao et al., 2023). Endometrial cancers are categorized based on their histopathological features, including endometrioid adenocarcinoma, serous carcinoma, and clear cell carcinoma (Masood and Singh, 2021). Approximately 80% of endometrial cancers fall into the endometrioid adenocarcinoma category (Min et al., 2006; Colombo et al., 2013). Early detection is often facilitated by noticeable symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding (Liu et al., 2025), leading to a higher chance of survival; by contrast, late detection significantly reduces survival rates (AlHilli et al., 2019). The global incidence and mortality rates of endometrial cancer are on the rise, prompting ongoing research aimed at developing effec- tive treatments (Makker et al., 2017; Lortet-Tieulent et al., 2018). Treatment options include surgical resection, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy (Denschlag et al., 2010), with surgical resection regarded as the most effective method. However, when cancer has metastasized or recurs, the effectiveness of surgical treatment alone is often limited (Ki et al., 2006; Lim et al., 2022). In recent years, extensive research has focused on the anticancer properties of phytochemicals (Wani et al., 2022; Bhutta and Choi, 2025). Natural bioactive compounds derived from plants, these compounds support health and disease prevention thro

FAQs

What is the main focus of this study on tangeretin in endometrial cancer cells?

The study evaluates how tangeretin affects Ishikawa cell viability, proliferation, migration, reactive oxygen species generation, and apoptosis.

How does tangeretin influence migration and cell proliferation in Ishikawa cells?

Tangeretin significantly inhibits viability and proliferation and suppresses migration, supported by wound healing assay evidence.

What experimental evidence supports that tangeretin induces apoptosis?

An annexin V/propidium iodide assay confirms apoptotic death, and BAX expression is analyzed to validate apoptosis induction.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by ahduag