Inhibition of cervical cancer cell metastasis by benzothiazole through up-regulation of E-cadherin expression

- Benzothiazole treatment did not induce any cytotoxic effect on HeLa DH cells after 48 h of incubation.
- The results from wound healing assay revealed that migration potential of HeLa DH cells was reduced to 4% on treatment with 20 μM concentration of benzithiazole compared to 99% in the control cells.
- The invasion potential of HeLa DH cells was reduced to 13% on treatment with 20 μM concentration of benzithiazole.
- Inhibition of HeLa DH cell migration was also significantly (p < 0.002) higher in the benzithiazole treated cell cultures compared to the control cells.
- HeLa DH cervical cancer cells on treatment with various concentrations of benzithiazole for 48 h showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the expression of E-cadherin in a dose dependent manner.

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of benzothiazole on the invasive and metastasis potential of HeLa DH cervical cancer cells and the underlying mechanism. HeLa DH cervical cells were cultured with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 μM concentrations of benzothiazole for 48 h. Benzothiazole treatment did not induce any cytotoxic effect on HeLa DH cells after 48 h of incubation. The results from wound healing assay revealed that migration potential of HeLa DH cells was reduced to 4% on treatment with 20 μM concentration of benzithiazole compared to 99% in the control cells. The invasion potential of HeLa DH cells was reduced to 13% on treatment with 20 μM concentration of benzithiazole. Inhibition of HeLa DH cell migration was also significantly (p < 0.002) higher in the benzithiazole treated cell cultures compared to the control cells. HeLa DH cervical cancer cells on treatment with various concentrations of benzithiazole for 48 h showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the expression of E-cadherin in a dose dependent manner. Among the various concentrations of benzithiazole used, western blot assay revealed that the increase in E-cadherin was maximum at 20 μM. Analysis of the levels of mRNA corresponding to E-cadherin by RT-qPCR showed significant increase in HeLa DH cervical cancer cells on treatment with 20 μM concentration of benzithiazole. Thus benzithiazole treatment suppresses the invasive and metastasis potential of HeLa DH cervical cells through upregulation of E-cadherin expression. Therefore, benzithiazole has a potential to be used for the treatment of cervical cancer.