Molecular Mechanisms of the Anticancer Activity of Hinokitiol in C32 Melanoma Cells: Transcriptomic Analysis and Modulation by a Static Magnetic Field

Many studies confirm that natural substances derived from plant materials, at appropriate concentrations, can exhibit anticancer effects against various types of cancer cells. One such substance is hinokitiol, which has been proven to have anticancer effects against malignant melanoma. However, the molecular mechanisms of this effect are unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the probable molecular mechanism of the anticancer effect of hinokitiol through gene expression analysis. Additionally, it was examined whether a ubiquitous static magnetic field could modify the anticancer properties of hinokitiol. Transcriptome analysis was performed using oligonucleotide microarrays, followed by validation of the obtained results for five genes using RT-qPCR. Fifty-six statistically different transcriptomes were found in melanoma cultures treated with only hinokitiol (p < 0.05, FC > 1.5). To confirm the results obtained from the microarray, RT-qPCR was performed for five genes: the ARNTL, CRYAB, MAT2A, HSPA8 and NR1D1 genes. In summary, our studies indicate that the addition of hinokitiol to melanoma cells changes the expression of numerous genes, including those associated with the biological clock. The presented results are preliminary and point out a direction for future research. The presence of a static magnetic field does not cause statistically significant changes in gene expression. Only in ARNTL was a statistically significant decrease in expression levels observed in the H+SMF group compared to the H group.