Apoptotic effect of quercetin on HT-29 colon cancer cells via the AMPK signaling pathway.

Abstract

Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a physiological cellular energy sensor, strongly suppresses cell proliferation in both nonmalignant and tumor cells. This study demonstrates the mechanism of quercetin-induced apoptosis in HT-29 colon cancer cells. Treatment of cells with quercetin significantly decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, quercetin increased cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase and up-regulated apoptosis-related proteins, such as AMPK, p53, and p21, within 48 h. Furthermore, in vivo experiments showed that quercetin treatment resulted in a significant reduction in tumor volume over 6 weeks, and apoptosis-related protein induction by quercetin was significantly higher in the 100 mg/kg treated group compared to the control group. All of these results indicate that quercetin induces apoptosis via AMPK activation and p53-dependent apoptotic cell death in HT-29 colon cancer cells and that it may be a potential chemopreventive or therapeutic agent against HT-29 colon cancer.

• Authors: Hyeong-Jin Kim, Sang-Ki Kim, Byeong-Soo Kim, Seung-Ho Lee, Young-Seok Park, Byung-Kwon Park, So-Jung Kim, Jin Kim, Changsun Choi, Jong-Suk Kim, Sung-Dae Cho, Ji-Won Jung, Kyong-Hwan Roh, Kyung-Sun Kang, Ji-Youn Jung
• Journal: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry (J Agric Food Chem) Vol. 58 Issue 15 Pg. 8643-50 (Aug 11 2010) ISSN: 1520-5118 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20681654 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Plant Extracts
• Quercetin
• AMP-Activated Protein Kinases

Topics

• AMP-Activated Protein Kinases (metabolism)
• Animals
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Cell Cycle (drug effects)
• Colonic Neoplasms (drug therapy, enzymology, physiopathology)
• HT29 Cells
• Humans
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Nude
• Plant Extracts (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Quercetin (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Signal Transduction (drug effects)