In vitro cytotoxicity assessment of ferulic, caffeic and p-coumaric acids on human renal cancer cells

Bioactive compounds from natural sources have been extensively studied as potential therapeutic agents, due to their chemical, structural, and biological properties. Among them, hydroxycinnamic acids emerge with a very interesting pharmacological potential to prevent and treat several diseases, including cancer. However, while some studies support their anticancer activity, other reports indicate otherwise. Since the impact of these compounds on renal cancer is not well established, further studies are needed to better understand their biological effects and their potential therapeutic uses in this cancer. In this work, the cytotoxicity of three hydroxycinnamic acids: ferulic, caffeic and p-coumaric acids, was evaluated on 786-O human renal cancer cells by MTT and CV assays. At concentrations up to 250 µM, none of the studied natural compounds showed cytotoxic effects to 786-O cell line. At higher concentrations (500 and 1000 µM), while ferulic acid also did not significantly influence the cell viability of 786-O cells, p-coumaric and caffeic acids decreased the renal cancer cells viability. Nevertheless, further studies on the biological activity of these compounds, using other methodologies, as well as using other cancer cell models, should be performed.