Cephaeline is an inductor of histone H3 acetylation and inhibitor of mucoepidermoid carcinoma cancer stem cells

Aim: To evaluate the potential use of Cephaeline as a therapeutic strategy to manage mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MEC) of the salivary glands. Material and Methods: UM-HMC-1, UM-HMC-2, and UM-HMC-3A MEC cell lines were used to establish the effects of Cephaeline over tumor viability determined by MTT assay. In vitro wound healing scratch assays were performed to address cellular migration while immunofluorescence staining for histone H3 lysine 9 (H3k9ac) was used to identify the acetylation status of tumor cells upon Cephaeline administration. The presence of cancer stem cells was evaluated by the identification of ALDH enzymatic activity by flow cytometry and through functional assays using in vitro tumorsphere formation. Results: A single administration of Cephaeline resulted in reduced viability of MEC cells along with the halt on tumor growth and cellular migration potential. Administration of Cephaeline resulted in chromatin histone acetylation as judged by the increased levels of H3K9ac and disruption of tumorspheres formation. Interestingly, ALDH levels were increased in UM-HMC-1 and UM-HMC-3A cell lines, while UM-HMC-2 showed a reduced enzymatic activity. Conclusion: Cephaeline has shown anti-cancer properties in all MEC cell lines tested by regulating tumor cells’ viability, migration, proliferation, and disrupting the ability of cancer cells to generate tumorspheres. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.