Impact of calcium propionate on cellular behavior in A549 and DMS114 lung cancer cell lines

Abstract Objectives To investigate the cellular and apoptotic effects of food additive calcium propionate by in vitro methods. Methods Cell viability by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, intracellular Glutathione (GSH) by luminometric method, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by fluorometry, apoptosis by dual Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide (AO/EB) fluorescent staining were studied in lung cells. Results It has been observed that calcium propionate reduced GSH and MMP levels significantly while increased cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in both A549 and DMS114 cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions Cytotoxic effects of calcium propionate were more pronounced in cancer cells compared to healthy cells, suggesting its potential suitability as a chemo-preventive agent.