The present study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of TTO against two representative types of human skin cancer, namely malignant melanoma (A-375) and squamous cell carcinoma (HEp-2).To outline the basic molecular mechanism involved in apoptosis induction in A-375 and HEp-2 cell lines, Annexin V/PI staining for apoptosis detection, cell cycle analysis were monitored using flow cytometry and mRNA expression levels of the apoptosis-regulatory genes P53, BAX, and BCL-2 were determined by real-time PCR and western blot after treatment with TTO.
Melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer, is frequently associated with alterations in several genes, among which the Bcl-2 oncogene plays an important role in progression, chemosensitivity and angiogenesis.
In the skin cancer mouse model, the iontophoretically delivered ASO-dendrimer complex reduced the tumor volume by 45% and was consistent with the reduction in Bcl-2 protein levels.