Capsaicin-induced apoptosis is regulated by endoplasmic reticulum stress- and calpain-mediated mitochondrial cell death pathways

Capsaicin, a pungent compound found in hot chili peppers, induces apoptotic cell death in various cell lines, however, the precise apoptosis signaling pathway is unknown. Here, we investigated capsaicin-induced apoptotic signaling in the human breast cell line MCF10A and found that it involves both endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and calpain activation. Capsaicin inhibited growth in a dose-dependent manner and induced apoptotic nuclear changes in MCF10A cells. Capsaicin also induced degradation of tumor suppressor p53; this effect was enhanced by the ER stressor tunicamycin. The proteasome inhibitor MG132 completely blocked capsaicin-induced p53 degradation and enhanced apoptotic cell death. Capsaicin treatment triggered ER stress by increasing levels of IRE1, GADD153/Chop, GRP78/Bip, and activated caspase-4. It led to an increase in cytosolic Ca²⁺, calpain activation, loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, and caspase-9 and -7 activation. Furthermore, capsaicin-induced the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway through calpain-mediated Bid translocation to the mitochondria and nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). Capsaicin-induced caspase-9, Bid cleavage, and AIF translocation were blocked by calpeptin, and BAPTA and calpeptin attenuated calpain activation and Bid cleavage. Thus, both ER stress- and mitochondria-mediated death pathways are involved in capsaicin-induced apoptosis.     

A phospholipase c-dependent intracellular ca2+ release pathway mediates the capsaicin-induced apoptosis in HepG2 human hepatoma cells

The effect of capsaicin on apoptotic cell death was investigated in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Capsaicin induced apoptosis in time- and dose-dependent manners. Capsaicin induced a rapid and sustained increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and BAPTA, an intracellular Ca2+ chelator, significantly inhibited capsaicin-induced apoptosis. The capsaicin-induced increase in the intracellular Ca2+ and apoptosis were not significantly affected by the extracellular Ca2+ chelation with EGTA, whereas blockers of intracellular Ca2+ release (dantrolene) and phospholipase C inhibitors, U-73122 and manoalide, profoundly reduced the capsaicin effects. Interestingly, treatment with the vanilloid receptor antagonist, capsazepine, did not inhibit either the increased capsaicin-induced Ca2+ or apoptosis. Collectively, these results suggest that the capsaicin-induced apoptosis in the HepG2 cells may result from the activation of a PLC-dependent intracellular Ca2+ release pathway, and it is further suggested that capsaicin may be valuable for the therapeutic intervention of human hepatomas.     

Capsaicin may induce breast cancer cell death through apoptosis-inducing factor involving mitochondrial dysfunction

The majority of breast cancer patients are resistant to chemotherapy or radiotherapy due to the down-regulation or lack of caspase-3 expression. Capsaicin was found to inhibit cancer cell growth in caspase-3-deficient human breast cancer cells. This study aimed to investigate the growth-inhibitive effect of capsaicin and its mechanisms in human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and BT-20. The results showed that cell viability decreased in a dose-dependent manner in both the caspase-3-deficient and non-deficient cells through inducing cell apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle in the S phase. Capsaicin significantly decreased mitochondria membrane potential, induced the cleavage of PARP-1, and decreased procaspase-7 expression in both cells. Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) was distinctly released from mitochondria and translocated into the cytoplasm and nucleus in MCF-7 cells (52.9%), but not in BT-20 cells (2%) after treatment with 200 μM of capsaicin for 24 hours. Capsaicin inhibited breast cancer cell growth through inducing cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the S phase. This apoptotic effect could be induced through the mitochondrial pathway, and PARP-1 subsequently cleaved by activation of caspase-7. The application of capsaicin in clinical therapy could be useful for breast cancer patients.     

Berberine-induced apoptosis in human glioblastoma T98G cells is mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress accompanying reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction

Berberine has a wide range of biochemical and pharmacologic effects, including antitumor activity, but the mechanisms involved in berberine-induced apoptosis remain unclear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes in oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-related molecules, which are closely associated with cell death-signaling transduction pathways, in human glioblastoma T98G cells treated with berberine. Berberine significantly decreased the cell viability of T98G cells in a dose-dependent manner. Berberine increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and level of intracellular Ca(2+). Berberine induced ER stress as evidenced by the detection of ER stress-associated molecules such as phosphorylated protein kinase-like ER kinase, eukaryotic translation initiation factor-2α, glucose-regulated protein 78/immunoglobulin heavy chain-binding protein, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)-homologous protein/growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene 153, which was associated with the activation of caspase-3. Furthermore, the administration of the antioxidants, N-acetylcysteine and glutathione, reversed berberine-induced apoptosis. Berberine also markedly enhanced apoptosis in T98G cells through the induction of a higher ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 proteins, disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-9 and -3, and cleavage of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The inhibition of ER stress using salubrinal led to an increased the level of Bcl-2, whereas the level of Bax, cleavage of procaspase-9 and -3, and PARP were decreased when compared with cells treated with berberine alone, indicating that berberine-induced apoptosis is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. These results demonstrate that berberine induces apoptosis via ER stress through the elevation of ROS and mitochondrial-dependent pathway in human glioblastoma T98G cells.     

Capsaicin induces apoptosis in SCC-4 human tongue cancer cells through mitochondria-dependent and -independent pathways

Although there have been advances in the fields of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy of tongue cancer, the cure rates are still not substantially satisfactory. Capsaicin (trans‐8‐methyl‐N‐vanillyl‐6‐nonenamide) is the major pungent ingredient of hot chili pepper and has been reported to have an antitumor effect on many human cancer cell types. The molecular mechanisms of the antitumor effect of capsaicin are not yet completely understood. Herein, we investigated whether capsaicin induces apoptosis in human tongue cancer cells. Capsaicin decreased the percentage of viable cells in a dose‐dependent manner in human tongue cancer SCC‐4 cells. In addition, capsaicin produced DNA fragmentation, decreased the DNA contents (sub‐G1 phase), and induced G0/G1 phase arrest in SCC‐4 cells. We demonstrated that capsaicin‐induced apoptosis is associated with an increase in reactive oxygen species and Ca²⁺ generations and a disruption of the mitochondrial transmenbrane potential (ΔΨ_m). Treatment with capsaicin induced a dramatic increase in caspase‐3 and ‐9 activities, as assessed by flow cytometric methods. A possible mechanism of capsaicin‐induced apoptosis is involved in the activation of caspase‐3 (one of the apoptosis‐executing enzyme). Confocal laser microscope examination also showed that capsaicin induced the releases of AIF, ATF‐4, and GADD153 from mitochondria of SCC‐4 cells. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2012.     

Role of autophagy in chemoresistance: regulation of the ATM-mediated DNA-damage signaling pathway through activation of DNA-PKcs and PARP-1

Capsaicin treatment was previously reported to reduce the sensitivity of breast cancer cells, but not normal MCF10A cells, to apoptosis. The present study shows that autophagy is involved in cellular resistance to genotoxic stress, through DNA repair. Capsaicin treatment of MCF-7 cells induced S-phase arrest and autophagy through the AMPKα-mTOR signaling pathway and the accumulation of p53 in the nucleus and cytosol, including a change in mitochondrial membrane potential. Capsaicin treatment also activated δ-H2AX, ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1. Genetic or pharmacological disruption of autophagy attenuated capsaicin-induced phospho-ATM and phospho-DNA-PKcs and enhanced apoptotic cell death. ATM inhibitors, including Ku55933 and caffeine, and the genetic or pharmacological inhibition of p53 prevented capsaicin-induced DNA-PKcs phosphorylation and stimulated PARP-1 cleavage, but had no effect on microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3)-II levels. Ly294002, a DNA-PKcs inhibitor, boosted the capsaicin-induced cleavage of PARP-1. In M059K cells, but not M059J cells, capsaicin induced ATM and DNA-PKcs phosphorylation, p53 accumulation, and the stimulation of LC3II production, all of which were attenuated by knockdown of the autophagy-related gene atg5. Ku55933 attenuated capsaicin-induced phospho-DNA-PKcs, but not LC3II, in M059K cells. In human breast tumors, but not in normal tissues, AMPKα, ATM, DNA-PKcs, and PARP-1 were activated and LC3II was induced. The induction of autophagy by genotoxic stress likely contributes to the sustained survival of breast cancer cells through DNA repair regulated by ATM-mediated activation of DNA-PKcs and PARP-1.     

Capsaicin-induced apoptosis and reduced release of reactive oxygen species in MBT-2 Murine Bladder Tumor cells

Bladder cancer is a common cancer with high risk of recurrence and mortality. Intravesicle chemotherapy after trans-urethral resection is required to prevent tumor recurrence and progression. It has been known that antioxidants enhance the antitumor effect of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), the most effective intravesical bladder cancer treatment. Capsaicin, the major pungent ingredient in genus Capsicum, has recently been tried as an intravesical drug for overactive bladder and it has also been shown to induce apoptotic cell death in many cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the apoptosis-inducing effect and alterations in the cellular redox state of capsaicin in MBT-2 murine bladder tumor cells. Capsaicin induced apoptotic MBT-2 cell death in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The capsaicin-induced apoptosis was blocked by the pretreatment with Z-VAD-fmk, a broad-range caspase inhibitor, or Ac-DEVD-CHO, a caspase-3 inhibitor. In addition to the caspase-3 activation, capsaicin also induced cytochrome c release and decrease in Bcl-2 protein expression with no changes in the level of Bax. Furthermore, capsaicin at the concentration of inducing apoptosis also markedly reduced the level of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation, implying that capsaicin may enhance the antitumor effect of BCG in bladder cancer treatment. These results further suggest that capsaicin may be a valuable intravesical chemotherapeutic agent for bladder cancers.     

Coumarin induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human cervical cancer HeLa cells through a mitochondria- and caspase-3 dependent mechanism and NF-kappaB down-regulation

The effects of coumarin on cell viability, cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis were investigated in human cervical cancer HeLa cells. Coumarin was cytotoxic with an IC50 of 54.2 microM, induced morphological changes, and caused G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis. The decreasing number of viable cells appeared to be due to induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death, since coumarin induced morphologically apoptotic changes and internucleosomal DNA laddering fragmentation and increased the sub-G1 group. Coumarin affected the production of reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ concentration, and dose-dependently induced the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential. Also, coumarin treatment gradually decreased the expression of G0/G1-associated proteins which may have led to the G0/G1 arrest, and the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, and increased the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax. Coumarin decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and promoted the release of cytochrome c and the activation of caspase-3 before leading to apoptosis. These results provide information on the mechanisms by which coumarin induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human cervical cancer cells (HeLa).     

Capsaicin induced apoptosis of B16-F10 melanoma cells through down-regulation of Bcl-2.

Capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide), a pungent ingredient of hot chili peppers, has been reported to possess substantial anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic activities. In the present study, we investigated the effect of capsaicin on induction of apoptosis in highly metastatic B16-F10 murine melanoma cells. Capsaicin inhibited growth of B16-F10 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Proapoptotic effect of capsaicin was evidenced by nuclear condensation, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, in situ terminal nick-end labeling of fragmented DNA (TUNEL), and an increased sub G1 fraction. Treatment of B16-F10 cells with capsaicin caused release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, activation of caspase-3, and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, Bcl-2 expression in the B16-F10 cells was slightly down-regulated by capsaicin treatment. In contrast, there were no alterations in the levels of Bax in capsaicin-treated cells. Collectively, these findings indicate that capsaicin-induces apoptosis of B16-F10 melanoma cells via down-regulation the Bcl-2.     

The anti-cancer activity of dihydroartemisinin is associated with induction of iron-dependent endoplasmic reticulum stress in colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), the main active metabolite of artemisinin derivatives, is among the artemisinin derivatives possessing potent anti-malarial and anti-cancer activities. In the present study, we found that DHA displayed significant anti-proliferative activity in human colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells, which may be attributed to its induction of G1 phase arrest and apoptosis. To further elucidate the mechanism of action of DHA, a proteomic study employed two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was performed. Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), which is related with endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress), was identified to be significantly up-regulated after DHA treatment. Further study demonstrated that DHA enhanced expression of GRP78 as well as growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible gene 153 (GADD153, another ER stress-associated molecule) at both mRNA and protein levels. DHA treatment also led to accumulation of GADD153 in cell nucleus. Moreover, pretreatment of HCT116 cells with the iron chelator deferoxamine mesylate salt (DFO) abrogated induction of GRP78 and GADD153 upon DHA treatment, indicating iron is required for DHA-induced ER stress. This result is consistent with the fact that the anti-proliferative activity of DHA is also mediated by iron. We thus suggest the unbalance of redox may result in DHA-induced ER stress, which may contribute, at least in part, to its anti-cancer activity.     

Capsaicin sensitizes TRAIL-induced apoptosis through Sp1-mediated DR5 up-regulation: involvement of Ca(2+) influx

Although tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis in various malignant cells, several cancers including human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibit potent resistance to TRAIL-induced cell death. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-cancer potential of capsaicin in TRAIL-induced cancer cell death. As indicated by assays that measure phosphatidylserine exposure, mitochondrial activity and activation of caspases, capsaicin potentiated TRAIL-resistant cells to lead to cell death. In addition, we found that capsaicin induces the cell surface expression of TRAIL receptor DR5, but not DR4 through the activation Sp1 on its promoter region. Furthermore, we investigated that capsaicin-induced DR5 expression and apoptosis are inhibited by calcium chelator or inhibitors for calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. Taken together, our data suggest that capsaicin sensitizes TRAIL-mediated HCC cell apoptosis by DR5 up-regulation via calcium influx-dependent Sp1 activation.     

The roles of endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial apoptotic signaling pathway in quercetin‐mediated cell death of human prostate cancer PC‐3 cells

Prostate cancer has its highest incidence and is becoming a major concern. Many studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine exhibited antitumor responses. Quercetin, a natural polyphenolic compound, has been shown to induce apoptosis in many human cancer cell lines. Although numerous evidences show multiple possible signaling pathways of quercetin in apoptosis, there is no report to address the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in quercetin‐induced apoptosis in PC‐3 cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of quercetin on the induction of the apoptotic pathway in human prostate cancer PC‐3 cells. Cells were treated with quercetin for 24 and 48 h and at various doses (50–200 μM), and cell morphology and viability decreased significantly in dose‐dependent manners. Flow cytometric assay indicated that quercetin at 150 μM caused G0/G1 phase arrest (31.4–49.7%) and sub‐G1 phase cells (19.77%) for 36 h treatment and this effect is a time‐dependent manner. Western blotting analysis indicated that quercetin induces the G0/G1 phase arrest via decreasing the levels of CDK2, cyclins E, and D proteins. Quercetin also stimulated the protein expression of ATF, GRP78, and GADD153 which is a hall marker of ER stress. Furthermore, PC‐3 cells after incubation with quercetin for 48 h showed an apoptotic cell death and DNA damage which are confirmed by DAPI and Comet assays, leading to decrease the antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 protein and level of ΔΨ_m, and increase the proapoptotic Bax protein and the activations of caspase‐3, ‐8, and ‐9. Moreover, quercetin promoted the trafficking of AIF protein released from mitochondria to nuclei. These data suggest that quercetin may induce apoptosis by direct activation of caspase cascade through mitochondrial pathway and ER stress in PC‐3 cells. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 428–439, 2014.     

2(±)-7,8,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavan induces G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in HL60 cells

2(±)-7,8,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavan (PMF), a synthetic flavan racemate, showed growth inhibitory effect on various kinds of tumor cells. The present study is to investigate the molecular mechanisms of action of PMF in human leukemia HL60 cells. Anti-proliferative effect of PMF on HL60 cells was associated with G2/M cell cycle arrest, which was mediated by regulating the expression of Cdc25C, cyclin A and p21 proteins and inhibiting the phosphorylation of Cdc2 at Thr161. PMF also induced apoptosis of HL60 cells via death receptor and mitochondria apoptotic pathways, which was characterized by DNA fragmentation, cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9, changes of Bcl-2 and Bax expression, cytochrome c release from mitochondria and a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). These data suggest that PMF produces anti-tumor effect via induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.     

Apigenin induces apoptosis in human lung cancer H460 cells through caspase- and mitochondria-dependent pathways

Apigenin (4,5,7-trihydroxyflavone), a promising chemopreventive agent presented in fruits and vegetables, has been shown to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in many types of human cancer cell lines. However, there is no available information to address the effects of apigenin on human lung cancer H460 cells. In the present studies, H460 cells were treated with apigenin for different time and then were analyzed for the morphological changes, induction of apoptosis, protein levels associated with apoptosis and results in dose-dependent induction of morphological changes, decrease in the percentage of viability, induced DNA damage and apoptosis; down-modulation of the protein expression of Bid, Bcl-2, procaspase-8; up-regulation of protein levels of Bax, caspase-3, AIF, cytochrome c, GRP78 and GADD153; decreased the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential and increased the productions of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca(2+) in H460 cells. Taken together, this is the first systematic in vitro study showing the involvement of apoptosis regulatory proteins as potential molecular targets of apigenin in human lung cancer H460 cells.     

Berberine induces G1 arrest and apoptosis in human glioblastoma T98G cells through mitochondrial/caspases pathway

Berberine is an isoquinoline plant alkaloid with a long history of being used for the treatment of many diseases in Chinese herbal medicine. Berberine has a wide range of biochemical and pharmacological effects, including antitumor activities, but its mechanism of action is not clearly understood. In this study, we investigated that the relationship between the antiproliferative activities of berberine and the apoptotic pathway associated with its molecular mechanism of action in human glioblastoma T98G cells. Berberine treatment of T98G cell lines inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell death in a dose (50-200 microg/ml) dependent manner with an IC50 value of 134 microg/ml, which was associated with an increase in G1 arrest. Western blot analysis showed that the berberine-induced G1 arrest was mediated through the increased expression of P27 and the decreased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2, CDK4, cyclin D, and cyclin E proteins. Berberine treatment also markedly enhanced apoptosis in T98G cells through the induction of a higher ratio of the Bax/Bcl-2 proteins, the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and the activation of procaspase-9, caspase-9, caspase-3, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Berberine can inhibit T98G cell proliferation by inducing G1 arrest and apoptosis. These results demonstrate that the berberine-induced apoptosis of T98G cells is primarily mediated through the mitochondrial/caspases-dependent pathway.     

Fisetin‐induced apoptosis of human oral cancer SCC‐4 cells through reactive oxygen species production,endoplasmic reticulum stress,caspase‐, and mitochondria‐dependent signaling pathways

Oral cancer is one of the cancer‐related diseases in human populations and its incidence rates are rising worldwide. Fisetin, a flavonoid from natural products, has been shown to exhibit anticancer activities in many human cancer cell lines but the molecular mechanism of fisetin‐induced apoptosis in human oral cancer cells is still unclear; thus, in this study, we investigated fisetin‐induced cell death and associated signal pathways on human oral cancer SCC‐4 cells in vitro. We examined cell morphological changes, total viable cells, and cell cycle distribution by phase contrast microscopy and flow cytometry assays. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), Ca²⁺, mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨ_m), and caspase‐8, ‐9, and ‐3 activities were also measured by flow cytometer. Results indicate that fisetin induced cell death through the cell morphological changes, caused G2/M phase arrest, induction of apoptosis, promoted ROS and Ca²⁺ production, and decreased the level of ΔΨ_m and increased caspase‐3, ‐8, and ‐9 activities in SCC‐4 cells. DAPI staining and DNA gel electrophoresis were also used to confirm fisetin‐induced cell apoptosis in SCC‐4 cells. Western blotting also found out that Fisetin increased the proapoptotic proteins such as Bax and Bid and decreased the antiapoptotic proteins such as Bcl‐2. Furthermore, results also showed that Fisetin increased the cytochrome c, AIF, and Endo G release from mitochondria in SCC‐4 cells. We also used ATF‐6α, ATF‐6β, GADD153, and GRP78 which indicated that fisetin induced cell death through ER stress. Based on those observations, we suggest that fisetin induced cell apoptosis through ER stress, mitochondria‐, and caspase‐dependent pathways.     

2(±)-7,8,3',4',5'-Pentamethoxyflavan induces G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in human leukemia HL60 cells

Objective Flavans are a set of naturally occurring flavonoids possessing a 2-phenylchroman nucleus,which are widely distributed in the plant kingdom.A number of flavan compounds exhibit antitumor activities.In our previous report,a straightforward synthetic procedure for 2(±)-7,8,3',4',5'-pentamethoxyflavan(PMF)was developed.To be more important,PMF showed growth inhibitory effect on various human tumor cell lines,especially against HL60 cells.In the present study,we aim to investigate the molecular mechanisms of action of PMF in HL60 cells.This is the first report of the molecular mechanisms on anti-tumor effect of flavan compounds.Methods Trypan blue exclusion experiment was used for cell growth inhibition assay.Cell apoptosis,cell cycle distribution and the mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)were assessed by flowcytometric analysis after AO/EB,PI and Rh123 flurescence staining,respectively.Cell cycle-and apoptosis-related proteins were detected using western blotting analysis.Results PMF(1-30 μM)inhibited the growth of HL60 cells in a time-and concentration-dependent manner.Antiproliferative effect of PMF on HL60 cells was associated with G2/M cell cycle arrest,which was mediated by regulating the expression of p21,Cdc25C and cyclin A proteins and inhibiting the phosphorylation of Cdc2 at Thr161.The prolonged PMF treatment also induced apoptosis of HL60 cells,which was characterized by DNA fragmentation,cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase,caspase-3,caspase-8 and caspase-9,changes of Bcl-2 and Bax expression and a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP).Furthermore,caspase-3 inhibitor,not caspase-8 inhibitor and caspase-9 inhibitor,completely blocked PMF-caused apoptosis.Conclusions PMF inhibited the growth of HL60 cells via induction of G2/M arrest and apoptosis.Blockade of cell cycle was associated with the downregulation of Cdc2 complex activity.Both death receptor and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways explained PMF-caused apoptosis.     

Bisdemethoxycurcumin‐induced S phase arrest through the inhibition of cyclin A and E and induction of apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondria‐dependent pathways in human lung cancer NCI H460 cells

Curcuminoids are the major natural phenolic compounds found in the rhizome of many Curcuma species. Curcuminoids consist of a mixture of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC). Although numerous studies have shown that curcumin induced cell apoptosis in many human cancer cells, however, mechanisms of BDMC‐inhibited cell growth and ‐induced apoptosis in human lung cancer cells still remain unclear. Herein, we investigated the effect of BDMC on the cell death via the cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis in NCI H460 human lung cancer cells. Flow cytometry assay was used to measure viable cells, cell cycle distribution, the productions of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca²⁺, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m) and caspase‐3, ‐8 and ‐9 activity. DNA damage and condension were assayed by Comet assay and DAPI staining, respectively. Western blotting was used to measure the changes of cell cycle and apoptosis associated protein expressions. Results indicated that BDMC significantly induced cell death through induced S phase arrest and induced apoptosis. Moreover, DMC induced DNA damage and condension, increased ROS and Ca²⁺ productions and decreased the levels of ΔΨ_m and promoted activities caspase‐3, ‐8, and ‐9. Western blotting results showed that BDMC inhibited Cdc25A, cyclin A and E for causing S phase arrest, furthermore, promoted the expression of AIF, Endo G and PARP and the levels of Fas ligand (Fas L) and Fas were also up‐regulated. Results also indicated that BDMC increased ER stress associated protein expression such as GRP78, GADD153, IRE1α, IRE1β, ATF‐6α, ATF‐6β, and caspase‐4. Taken together, we suggest that BDMC induced cell apoptosis through multiple signal pathways such as extrinsic, intrinsic and ES tress pathway. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1899–1908, 2016.