In this study, we investigated the anticancer effect of
protoapigenone on human
prostate cancer cells.
Protoapigenone inhibited cell growth through arresting
cancer cells at S and G(2)/M phases as well as inducing apoptosis. Blockade of cell cycle by
protoapigenone was associated with an increase in the levels of inactivated phospho (p)-Cdc25C (Ser216) and a decrease in the levels of activated p-
cyclin B1 (Ser147),
cyclin B1, and
cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) 2.
Protoapigenone triggered apoptosis by increasing the levels of cleaved
poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and
caspase-3. In addition, activation of
p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun NH2-terminal
kinase (JNK)1/2 was a critical mediator in
protoapigenone-induced cell death. Inhibition of the expression of
p38 MAPK and JNK1/2 by pharmacological inhibitors or specific
small interfering RNA reversed the
protoapigenone-induced apoptosis through decreasing the level of cleaved
caspase-3. In contrast,
p38 MAPK, but not JNK1/2, was involved in the
protoapigenone-mediated S and G(2)/M arrest by modulating the levels of Cdk2 and p-Cdc25C (Ser216). Moreover, in vivo xenograft study showed that
protoapigenone had a significant inhibition of prostate
tumor growth without major side effects on the mice we tested. This inhibition was associated with induction of apoptosis and activation of
p38 MAPK and JNK1/2 in
protoapigenone-treated
tumor tissues. In conclusion, our results demonstrated
protoapigenone suppressed
prostate cancer cell growth through the activation of
p38 MAPK and JNK1/2, with the potential to be developed as a chemotherapeutic agent for
prostate cancer.