Capilliposide C derived from Lysimachia capillipes Hemsl inhibits growth of human prostate cancer PC3 cells by targeting caspase and MAPK pathways

Int Urol Nephrol. 2014 Jul;46(7):1335-44. doi: 10.1007/s11255-013-0641-6. Epub 2014 Feb 20.

Abstract

Prostate cancer, a common malignant tumor of the genitourinary system among elderly males, is difficult to cure. Capilliposide C (CPS-C) is a novel oleanane triterpenoid saponin derived from Lysimachia capillipes Hemsl. Although CPS-C had been investigated in gastric cancer BGC-823 cells, prostate cancer PC3 cells, and ovarian cancer SK-OV-3 cells in nude mice in a dose-dependent manner without overt toxicity, its mechanism in the cancer cells has not been further studied. In the current study, PC3-cell-line-based in vitro models were used to explore the anti-cancer effect and mechanism of CPS-C. The results of cell viability assays showed that CPS-C exhibited dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity against the prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and DU145. Observations using optical and electron microscope suggested the cytotoxicity of CPS-C. CPS-C-induced apoptosis was confirmed by the activation of caspases, down-regulation of Bcl-2, JNK, and P38α/β, and up-regulation of Bax, p-JNK, and p-P38. Results showed that CPS-C exhibits high toxicity toward two prostate cancer cells in vitro. Therefore, CPS-C may have great potential in the prevention and treatment of human prostate cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Primulaceae*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Saponins / pharmacology*
  • Saponins / therapeutic use
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Triterpenes / therapeutic use
  • Up-Regulation
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Saponins
  • Triterpenes
  • capilliposide C
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4
  • Caspases