Antiproliferative effects of curcuphenol, a sesquiterpene phenol

Fitoterapia. 2010 Oct;81(7):762-6. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2010.04.001. Epub 2010 Apr 10.

Abstract

Curcuphenol is a sesquiterpene isolated from sponges and plants having several significant biological activities. The present study explored its effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis in Caco-2 human colon cancer cells. It was demonstrated that curcuphenol in concentrations in the range of 29-116 µg/ml inhibited cell proliferation and DNA replication and induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis was associated with a stimulation of the activity of caspase-3. The findings presented here suggest that curcuphenol has antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic properties.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Baccharis / chemistry*
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • DNA Replication / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Porifera / chemistry*
  • Sesquiterpenes / isolation & purification
  • Sesquiterpenes / pharmacology
  • Sesquiterpenes / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Plant Extracts
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • curcuphenol
  • Caspase 3