Alpha-bisabolol Promotes Glioma Cell Death by Modulating the Adenosinergic System

Abstract

Background/Aim: Glioblastoma multiforme is the most malignant type of glioma. Alpha-bisabolol is an essential oil reported as a potent cell death agent. In the present work, we evaluated the effect of alpha-bisabolol on ecto-5’-nucleotidase/CD73, the most well-characterized enzymatic source of adenosine, present in lipid rafts. Materials and Methods: Glioma cells were treated with alpha-bisabolol and, in some experiments, pre-treated with an A₃ antagonist. MTT assay (viability), malachite green method (ecto-5’-nucleotidase/CD73 activity) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) (A₃ mRNA) were carried out. Results: Alpha-bisabolol led to a decrease in C6 and U138-MG glioma cells viability, accompanied by an increase in ecto-5’-NT/CD73 activity. Pre-treatment with an A₃ antagonist reverted the effect of α-bisabolol with an increase of mRNA expression of this receptor. Conclusion: Our data indicated the participation of ecto-5’-nucleotidase/CD73 and A₃ receptor in the anti-proliferative effect of α-bisabolol on glioma cells.