Pyrogallol Induces Selective Cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y and Cortical Neuron Cells

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to evaluate whether pyrogallol (PG) has selective cytotoxic effects on neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells and cortical neuronal cells. Materials and Methods: SH-SY5Y cells and cortical neuronal cells were treated with PG at different concentrations for 24 h. Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT test. Catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR) activities, and glutathione (GSH) levels were also quantified. Results: Treatment of neuroblastoma cells with PG (20–200 μM) significantly decreased cell viability. It had no effect on the cell viability of cortical neuronal cells at 20-80 μM. However, it decreased the viability in cortical neuronal cells at 200 μM. CAT, GR, and GSH levels were notably reduced in neuroblastoma cells treated with 200 μM of PG; but, only GSH was reduced in cortical neuronal cells at this concentration. Conclusion: PG had a specific cytotoxic effect in neuroblastoma cells but generally spared neuronal cells. PG decreased the antioxidant enzyme activities in neuroblastoma cells suggesting that it kills cancer cells by causing increased oxidative stress. However, having a cytotoxic effect in lower concentrations of PG without decreasing antioxidant enzyme activities suggests that PG may have alternative mechanisms for cytotoxicity in lower concentrations.