Resveratrol inhibits HeLa cell proliferation by regulating mitochondrial function

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2022-08, Vol.241, p.113788-113788, Article 113788
• Main Authors: Zhang, Yuming, Yuan, Fengyu, Li, Pei, Gu, Jihai, Han, Junjun, Ni, Zhihua, Liu, Fengsong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autophagy; Cell homeostasis; HeLa cells; Mitochondrial function; Resveratrol
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113788

The beneficial roles of resveratrol (RES) in affecting proliferation of multiple cancer cells have attracted intensive attention. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to bridge the knowledge gap by investigating RES-induced growth inhibition of HeLa cells. Our work focuses on the metergasis of mitochondria in the RES-exposed cells. Therefore, HeLa cells were treated with different concentrations of RES for 30 min and 24 h, respectively. As a result, concentration-dependent increases in cell growth inhibition, ROS (reactive oxygen species) triggering, and LC3-II (light chain 3-II) expression were detected in the HeLa cells exposed to RES for 24 h. Interestingly, a specific concentration-dependent effect was observed in the HeLa cells exposed to RES for 30 min, that is, low concentration RES (≤ 25 μmol/L) reduced ROS levels, inhibited transcription and expression levels of LC3-II, and stimulated mitochondrial respiratory capacities. In contrast, high concentration RES (50 and 100 μmol/L) induced ROS over-production and autophagy in the cells, resulting in decreased levels of mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial DNA copy numbers, and mitochondrial respiratory capacities. Together, our data concluded that RES inhibited HeLa cell proliferation through perturbation of mitochondrial structure and function, and ROS-induced autophagy also played a critical role in the process. [Display omitted] •How RES impacts growth inhibition to HeLa are proposed.•RES inhibits cell growth by triggering ROS over-production.•RES induces oxidative stress and autophagy in HeLa cells.•RES can modulate mitochondrial function directly.