<i>Puerariae radix</i> flavones induce apoptosis in bladder cancer T24 cells via the FAS/TNFR1 pathway: A potential therapeutic candidate

<i>Puerariae radix</i> flavones (PRFs), bioactive components derived from the <i>Pueraria lobata</i> plant, exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. However, their therapeutic potential for bladder cancer remains poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-tumor effects and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of PRF on human bladder cancer T24 cells. <i>In vitro</i> experiments were performed out in PRF-treated T24 cells, and the effects of PRF were assessed through MTT assay, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, agarose gel electrophoresis, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and ELISA. PRF significantly inhibited T24 cell proliferation via inducing apoptosis through the extrinsic apoptosis pathway. Mechanistically, PRF induced FAS receptor/tumor necrosis factor-α receptor, enhanced the activity of cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 and downregulated NF-κB. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to demonstrate that PRF could suppress the proliferation of human bladder cancer T24 cells and to elucidate its underlying molecular mechanism. These findings may provide novel insights into PRF as a promising therapeutic agent for bladder cancer treatment.