Evaluation of biological effects of sericin on human lung cancer cell line

Introduction: Non-small cell tumor is the most common type of lung carcinoma and the treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. In this sense, the search for new chemical substances with characteristics of selectivity, effectiveness and low toxicity have been investigated in the treatment of cancer. Studies show that sericin, a protein extracted from silkworm cocoons, has antitumor and pro-apoptotic activity. Objective: To analyze the potential antitumor effect of sericin on non-small cell lung cancer cell line. Materials and Methods: The studies were conducted in culture, where the cell viability was evaluated through the neutral red assay, cytotoxicity with MTT; apoptotic potential, with annexin-5 and Alexa Fluor® and Propidium Iodide assays; and cell migration with the Wound Healing assay. Results: Low doses of sericin were able to increase lysosomal viability, reduce mitochondrial viability, increase apoptosis and cell migration, while high doses of sericin exponentially reduced cell migration and did not alter the rate of apoptosis / necrosis of cancer cells. Conclusion: Sericin is a biomaterial that causes biological effects on the cell line tested, and can be used to increase lysosomal viability, reduce mitochondrial function, increase apoptosis at low doses and inhibit high-dose cell migration.