Carvacrol Induces Cell Apoptosis in Human Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma the Human Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma Cell Line (KYSE-150) Cells

Carvacrol is a natural phenol with antioxidant, antimicrobials, and anti-cancer activities. The present study aimed to explore the anti-cancer activity of carvacrol in human esophageal squamous carcinoma KYSE-150 cells. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured using WST-1 assay and cell death detection ELISA kit respectively. Caspase activities were determined with caspase fluorometric assay kits. WST-1 assay revealed that carvacrol suppressed KYSE-150 cell proliferation in both dose and time-dependent manner. Carvacrol could increase cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner through caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation. In addition, Bcl-2 mRNA levels were significantly decreased by carvacrol treatment. This study delivers that carvacrol exerts a favorable anti-cancer action against esophageal cancer via inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing cell apoptosis. These discoveries suggest that carvacrol is deserved to be further studied and developed as a chemotherapeutic agent for esophageal cancer.