Marchantin C, a macrocyclic bisbibenzyl, induces apoptosis of human glioma A172 cells.

Abstract

Macrocyclic bisbibenzyls, a class of characteristic components derived from liverworts, are attracting more and more attention because of their wide range of biological significance, including anti-bacterial, anti-fungus, anti-oxidation and cytotoxicity. Herein, we investigated the pro-apoptotic effect of marchantin C on human glioma A 172 cells. The results demonstrated that marchantin C conferred dose-dependent inhibitory effects onto cell growth, viability and colony formation ability of A 172 cells. Morphological observation and DNA laddering assay showed that marchantin C-treated A172 cells displayed outstanding apoptosis characteristics, such as nuclear fragmentation, the appearance of membrane-enclosed apoptotic bodies and DNA laddering fragment. Moreover, flow cytometric detection of phosphatidylserine externalization indicated that marchantin C-induced apoptosis occurred in a dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR and western blot assay further substantiated that marchantin C, as a promising pro-apoptotic agent, had strong effects to induce A172 cell apoptosis, suggesting that the action was achieved through up-regulating Bax and down-regulating Bcl-2.

• Authors: Yan-Qiu Shi, Yong-Xiang Liao, Xian-Jun Qu, Hui-Qing Yuan, Song Li, Jian-Bo Qu, Hong-Xiang Lou
• Journal: Cancer letters (Cancer Lett) Vol. 262 Issue 2 Pg. 173-82 (Apr 18 2008) ISSN: 0304-3835 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 18215458 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Bibenzyls
• Catechols
• Ethers, Cyclic
• Phenyl Ethers
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein
• marchantin C

Topics

• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Bibenzyls (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Catechols (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Ethers, Cyclic (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Glioma (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Phenyl Ethers (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 (metabolism)
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein (metabolism)