Determination of cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of diosgenin on glioblastoma multiforme cell lines

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common fatal brain tumors of the central nervous system with aggressive and malignant features. The most common primer in adults is the brain tumor. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy are used in the treatment of GBM. Trying to discover new plant-based agents is one of the researches for treatment. Diosgenin belongs to the group of secondary metabolites synthesized by plants and can be used in the treatment of GBM. In some of the cancer types have anti-invasive, anti-proliferative, anti-metastatic and anti-carcinogenic effects.The aim of the study is to determine the effect of diosgenin on cytotoxic, apoptosis, invasion and colony formation in T98G and LN18 cell lines. The effect of diosgenin on cell viability was determined by XTT method. The IC50 value for LN18 and T98G cells was found to be 30 µM at 24 h in each cell line. The change in expression levels of genes involved in apoptosis was determined by real-time PCR and the expression levels of pro-apoptotic genes were increased while expression levels of anti-apoptotic genes were decreased in both cell lines. It was found that the invasion and migration ability of the cells decreased. It was determined that colonization capacities of LN18 cells treated with diosgenin decreased. This study revealed the possible effect of diosgenin on GBM for the first time. According to the results obtained, diosgenin appears to be a potential agent for GBM. Diosgenin needs extensive studies to test its applicability in GBM treatment.