LL-202, a newly synthesized flavonoid, inhibits tumor growth via inducing G(2)/M phase arrest and cell apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract

We recently established that LL-202, a newly synthesized flavonoid, exhibited obvious anticancer effects against human breast cells in vivo and in vitro. The underlying mechanism of its anticancer activity remains to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that LL-202 inhibited the growth and proliferation of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells in a concentration and time-dependent manner. We reported that LL-202 induced both mitochondrial- and death-receptor-mediated apoptosis, which were characterized by the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), cytochrome c (Cyt c) release from mitochondria to cytosol, the activation of several caspases and induction of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and Bid cleavage. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a general ROS scavenger, partly blocked the LL-202-induced ROS levels and apoptosis. In addition, LL-202 induced arrest in cell cycle progression at G2/M phase in MCF-7 cells. After the treatment with LL-202, the expression of cell cycle-related proteins, such as cyclin B1, cyclin A, and p-CDK1 (Thr161) were down-regulated, whereas the expression of p21(WAF1/Cip1) and p-CDK1 (Thr14/Tyr15) were up-regulated. Finally, in vivo studies, LL-202 significantly suppressed the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer xenograft tumors in a dose-dependent manner with low systemic toxicity. In conclusion, the results showed that LL-202 had significant anticancer effects against human breast cells via the induction of apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest and it may be a novel anticancer agent for treatment of breast cancer.

• Authors: Lei Tao, Rong Fu, Xiaoping Wang, Jing Yao, Yuxin Zhou, Qinsheng Dai, Zhiyu Li, Na Lu, Weiyun Wang
• Journal: Toxicology letters (Toxicol Lett) Vol. 228 Issue 1 Pg. 1-12 (Jul 03 2014) ISSN: 1879-3169 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 24752227 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Annexin A5
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Coloring Agents
• Flavonoids
• Free Radical Scavengers
• LL202 flavonoid
• Reactive Oxygen Species
• Tetrazolium Salts
• Thiazoles
• thiazolyl blue

Topics

• Animals
• Annexin A5
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Blotting, Western
• Cell Cycle (drug effects)
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Coloring Agents
• Flavonoids (pharmacology)
• Free Radical Scavengers (pharmacology)
• G2 Phase (drug effects)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial (drug effects)
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Mitochondria (drug effects)
• Reactive Oxygen Species
• Signal Transduction (drug effects)
• Subcellular Fractions (drug effects, metabolism)
• Tetrazolium Salts
• Thiazoles