The prophylactic effect of Acetobacter syzygii probiotic species against squamous cell carcinoma

Background. Squamous cell carcinoma is a prevalent carcinoma of the oral cavity. Recently anti-proliferative effect of probiotics has been considered and assessed against different cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of Acetobacter syzygii strain supernatant on KB human oral cancer cell line and KDR human epithelial normal cell line. Methods. The cytotoxicity assessments were performed through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) as well as through qualitative (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining) and quantitative (flow cytometry assessments using the BD Biosciences Annexin V-FITC Kit) evaluations of apoptosis. Results. A. syzygii secretions exhibited significant cytotoxicity against KB cancer cell lines similar to cisplatin (75.7% apoptosis) while the rate of apoptosis in KDR normal cells was only 9.36%. The prophylactic effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus (PTCC 1643), as a reference bacterium, was similar to A. syzygii, indicating beneficial effects of useful bacteria on prevention of oral diseases. Conclusion. The anticancer bioactivity of A. syzygii strain secretions depends on the induction of apoptosis in KB cancer cells. However, several investigations should be conducted to precisely determine effective compounds to be used as anticancer therapeutics in the future.