Berberine induces apoptosis in SW620 human colonic carcinoma cells through generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of JNK/p38 MAPK and FasL.

Abstract

Berberine is the major constituent of Coptidis Rhizoma with multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammation, promotion of apoptosis and anticancer potential effect. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) may contribute to the causal relationship between tumorigenesis and pro-apoptotic function. Berberine is studied for the mechanism of its action in apoptotic pathway in human colonic carcinoma cell. Treatment of SW620 cells with 50 microM berberine resulted in activation of the caspase 3 and caspase 8, cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and the release of cytochrome c; whereas, the expression of BID and anti-apoptosis factor c-IAP1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-(XL) were decreased markedly. Berberine-induced, dose-dependent induction of apoptosis was accompanied by sustained phosphorylation of JNK and p38 MAPK, as well as generation of the ROS. Furthermore, the induction of apoptosis was alleviated by inhibitors specific for JNK and p38. In addition, there was an increase in the cellular levels of phospho-c-Jun, FasL and t-BID in the berberine-induced apoptosis via the activation of JNK and p38 signaling modules. NAC administration, a scavenger of ROS, reversed berberine-induced apoptosis effects via inhibition of JNK, p38 and c-jun activation, and FasL and t-BID expression. These results leads us to speculate that berberine may play an apoptotic cascade in SW620 cells by activation of the JNK/p38 pathway and induction of ROS production, providing a new mechanism for berberine-induced cell death in human colon cancer cells.

• Authors: Wen-Hsiu Hsu, Yih-Shou Hsieh, Hsing-Chun Kuo, Chun-Yuh Teng, Hai-I Huang, Chau-Jong Wang, Shun-Fa Yang, Yi-Sheng Liou, Wu-Hsien Kuo
• Journal: Archives of toxicology (Arch Toxicol) Vol. 81 Issue 10 Pg. 719-28 (Oct 2007) ISSN: 0340-5761 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 17673978 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein
• BID protein, human
• Fas Ligand Protein
• Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
• Reactive Oxygen Species
• bcl-X Protein
• Berberine
• Cytochromes c
• Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases
• JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
• Caspase 3
• Caspase 8

Topics

• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein (drug effects, metabolism)
• Berberine (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Caspase 3 (metabolism)
• Caspase 8 (drug effects, metabolism)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Colonic Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Cytochromes c (drug effects, metabolism)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Fas Ligand Protein (drug effects, metabolism)
• Humans
• Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins (drug effects, metabolism)
• JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (drug effects, metabolism)
• Phosphorylation (drug effects)
• Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases (drug effects, metabolism)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 (drug effects, metabolism)
• Reactive Oxygen Species (metabolism)
• bcl-X Protein (drug effects, metabolism)
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (drug effects, metabolism)