The influence of alliin on actin cytoskeleton reorganization in H1299 cell line in the presence of low doses of doxorubicin

Alliin, garlic amino acid, has been thought to be pharmacologically inactive. However, several studies carried out on the cell cultures and the mammalian models demonstrated antioxidative and anticancer properties of alliin. Doxorubicin (DOX) is a well-known cytostatic agent, but  often presented the side effects. Therefore, lowering a dose of DOX may reduce a negative influence of this drug on patients. The combined effect of DOX and alliin on the induction of cell death and the reorganization of actin cytoskeleton have not been yet tested in the human non-small cell lung cancer H1299 cells, thus the aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of DOX and alliin on the induction of cell death, morphological and ultrastructural alterations, as well as the reorganization of F-actin in the H1299 cells, using image cytometry and light, fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. The experimental results presented here indicate that alliin enhances DOX impact on H1299 cells in a dose-dependent manner by increasing the percentages of apoptotic cells and reducing the cell viability. It also led to F-actin reorganization and both morphological and ultrastructural alternations. Alliin can support the tumoricidal effect of DOX but this potential therapeutic use should be examined in further studies.