Myristicin-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells.

Abstract

Myristicin, 1-allyl-3,4-methylenedioxy-5-methoxybenzene, is a naturally occurring alkenylbenzene compound found in the nutmeg. The present study was conducted to assess the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of myristicin on the human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. We found that a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability occurs at myristicin concentration > or =0.5 mM in SK-N-SH cells. Apoptotic cell death was confirmed using DNA fragmentation, terminal deoxyribonucelotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling and by 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining. Microscopy was used to observe apoptotic cell morphology. Western blotting was used to investigate the protein expression of known apoptotic mediators including cytochrome c, caspase-3, and PARP. The apoptosis triggered by myristicin was accompanied by an accumulation of cytochrome c and by the activation of caspase-3. The results obtained suggest that myristicin induces cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells by an apoptotic mechanism. This myristicin-induced apoptosis provides further insight of the molecular mechanisms of myristicin toxicity.

• Authors: Bo Kyung Lee, Jae Hee Kim, Ji Wook Jung, Ji Woong Choi, Eui Sik Han, Sun Hee Lee, Kwang Ho Ko, Jong Hoon Ryu
• Journal: Toxicology letters (Toxicol Lett) Vol. 157 Issue 1 Pg. 49-56 (May 16 2005) ISSN: 0378-4274 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 15795093 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Allylbenzene Derivatives
• Benzyl Compounds
• Dioxolanes
• Pyrogallol
• myristicin
• Cytochromes c
• CASP3 protein, human
• Caspase 3
• Caspases

Topics

• Allylbenzene Derivatives
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Benzyl Compounds (pharmacology, toxicity)
• Caspase 3
• Caspases (biosynthesis, pharmacology)
• Cytochromes c (biosynthesis, pharmacology)
• DNA Damage
• Dioxolanes (pharmacology, toxicity)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Humans
• In Situ Nick-End Labeling
• Neuroblastoma (pathology)
• Pyrogallol (analogs & derivatives, pharmacology, toxicity)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured