Ozdas, TalihOzdas, SibelCanatar, IpekKaypak, Erdem2025-01-062025-01-0620241300-01521303-609210.55730/1300-0152.27082-s2.0-85207543653https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0152.2708https://search.trdizin.gov.tr/tr/yayin/detay/1276339https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14669/2544Background/aim: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the most prevalent causes of death worldwide, and so discovering anticancer agents for its treatment is very important. Pterostilbene (PS) is a trans-stilbene reported to be beneficial in managing various cancers. The objective of the study was to evaluate the cytotoxic, antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and antimigrative effect of PS on HEp-2, SCC-90, SCC-9, FaDu, and Detroit-551 cell lines. Materials and methods: MTT and live/dead assays were employed to assess cell viability, while a cell migration test was performed to evaluate wound healing capacity. The mRNA, protein, and intracellular expression levels of CASP-3, BAX, and BCL-2 genes were evaluated by real-time PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. Annexin V-PI staining was conducted to assess the amounts of viable, apoptotic, and necrotic cells. Results: The results revealed that PS displayed cytotoxic, antiproliferative activity in a dose-dependent manner in HNC cells by upregulating CASP-3 and BCL-2 while downregulating BCL-2 in the apoptotic pathway. The proapoptotic properties were confirmed by the annexin-V-IP results. Moreover, PS displayed a significant suppressive efficacy on the migration capacity of HNC cells. Conclusion: The present study provides proof that PS has the prospective to be improved as an attractive anticancer agent against HNC following advanced studies.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessHead and neck cancerpterostilbeneanticancercytotoxicityapoptosisArticle539474042Q1127633948WOS:001338114600005N/A