N-butanol extract of Capparis spinosa L. induces apoptosis primarily through a mitochondrial pathway involving mPTP open, cytochrome C release and caspase activation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Capparis spinosa L., a Uygur medicine, had been shown to have anti-tumor activity in our early experiments with an N-butanol extract (CSBE) as its active fraction. However, the mechanisms responsible for its effects are not clearly understood. Here, we report that treatment of SGC-7901 cells with CSBE resulted in dose-dependent reduction of cell viability and induction of apoptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

To observe the inhibitory and killing effects of CSBE on SGC-7901, the SRB method was adopted, apoptosis being observed by electron microscopy. To clarify the mechanisms of apoptosis, Western blot and enzyme-labeled methods were used to examine the release of cytochrome c (Cyt c) and the activation of the caspase cascade.

RESULTS:

By electron microscopy, apoptotic morphologic changes were detectable after CSBE administration. In this study, it was also demonstrated that CSBE induced apoptosis in SGC-7901 cells by inhibiting mPTP open, mitochondrial cytochrome c release, caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation.

CONCLUSIONS:

The findings indicated that CSBE induces apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway.

• Authors: Yu-Bin Ji, Lei Yu
• Journal: Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP (Asian Pac J Cancer Prev) Vol. 15 Issue 21 Pg. 9153-7 ( 2014) ISSN: 2476-762X [Electronic] Thailand
• PMID: 25422194 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins
• Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore
• Plant Extracts
• 1-Butanol
• Cytochromes c
• Caspases

Topics

• 1-Butanol (chemistry)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Blotting, Western
• Capparis (chemistry)
• Caspases (metabolism)
• Cytochromes c (metabolism)
• Enzyme Activation
• Humans
• Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial (drug effects)
• Mitochondria (drug effects, metabolism)
• Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins (drug effects)
• Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology)
• Stomach Neoplasms (drug therapy, metabolism, pathology)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured