We explored how quercetin, a natural compound, affects cancer cells, particularly in the context of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study focused on understanding the role of sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) and a specific form of cell death known as ferroptosis, as well as how quercetin influences these processes.
Using specially engineered SCC15 cell lines, we treated the cells with quercetin and observed significant changes. Our experiments revealed that overexpressing SIRT3 led to increased levels of harmful substances like malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which diminished cell viability and promoted ferroptosis. In contrast, knocking out SIRT3 produced the opposite effect, supporting the idea that SIRT3 plays a pivotal role in this process.
Notably, we found that quercetin treatment enhanced SIRT3 levels and other relevant markers, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent. It actively triggered autophagy, particularly through a pathway involving AMPK and mTOR, thereby fostering ferroptosis. Our findings suggest that not only does quercetin have a direct impact on OSCC cells, but it enhances the cell death process that can be beneficial in cancer treatment.
Overall, our research highlights quercetin as a promising candidate for further investigation in the battle against oral squamous cell carcinoma.