Fisetin Triggers Apoptosis and Curbs Proliferation in Human Glioma Cells

In T98G glioma cells, fisetin inhibited cell proliferation with IC50 values of 93 µM after 24 hours and 75 µM after 48 hours. Compared to normal BEAS-2B lung epithelial cells, more significant induction of apoptosis was observed in glioma cells. In addition, even at low concentrations, cytotoxicity against T98G cells exceeded that of the chemotherapy drug carmustine. Fisetin increased the expression of caspase-3, caspase-9, caspase-8 and BAX while decreasing the expression of BCL-2 and survivin, suggesting activation of the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway.