Cytotoxic and proapoptotic activity of ent-16beta-17alpha-dihydroxykaurane on human mammary carcinoma cell line MCF-7.

Abstract

Here we describe the cytotoxic and proapoptotic effect of an ent-kaurane (ent-16beta-17alpha-dihydroxykaurane), compound isolated from Croton malambo barks, on malignant cell growth. When MCF-7 mammary carcinoma cells were treated with increasing concentrations of the ent-kauranoid, its cytotoxic activity showed an IC50 of 12.5microg/ml, dose that is 2.66-fold lower than the corresponding value for non-malignant cells. At this growth inhibitory dose, both mRNA and protein levels for Bcl-2 as well as mRNA for hTERT were significantly reduced. The observed preapoptotic activity seemed to be triggered by a mechanism that is not directly affecting NF-(kappa)B binding ability. The potential use of this plant-derived compound as a cancer chemotherapy agent is discussed.

• Authors: Alvaro Morales, Pedro Pérez, Raifish Mendoza, Reinaldo Compagnone, Alírica I Suarez, Francisco Arvelo, José Luis Ramírez, Iván Galindo-Castro
• Journal: Cancer letters (Cancer Lett) Vol. 218 Issue 1 Pg. 109-16 (Jan 31 2005) ISSN: 0304-3835 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 15639346 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Diterpenes, Kaurane
• NF-kappa B
• ent-17,19-dihydroxy-16-H-kaurane
• Telomerase

Topics

• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Breast Neoplasms (pathology)
• Cell Proliferation
• Diterpenes, Kaurane (pharmacology)
• Humans
• NF-kappa B (metabolism)
• Telomerase (pharmacology)