The effect of indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphane on a prostate cancer cell line.
BACKGROUND
Cruciferous vegetable consumption is inversely related to the incidence of prostate cancer. We examined the effect of indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and of sulforaphane (constituents of cruciferous vegetables) on cell proliferation of a PC-3 prostate cancer cell line, in order to observe if an inhibitory effect might be detected in vitro.


METHODS
PC-3 prostate cancer cells were cultured in 96-well microtitre plates. Indole-3-carbinol concentrations ranging from 0.1 mmol/L to 0.8 mmol/L or sulforaphane concentrations ranging from 0.01 mmol/L to 0.06 mmol/L were added to the wells. Cell proliferation was measured by colorimetric assay and results were based on the mean value of triplicate experiments. Data are -presented as medians and interquartile ranges and were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U-test.


RESULTS
Cell proliferation in PC-3 prostate cancer cells was significantly inhibited by I3C and sulforaphane at media concentrations of 0.2 mmol/L and 0.02 mmol/L, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Both compounds inhibited the proliferation of prostate cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. These findings may help explain the observed protective effect of cruciferous vegetables in relation to prostate cancer.
Frydoonfar
Hamid R
HR
Discipline of Surgical Science, Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
McGrath
Daniel R
DR
Spigelman
Allan D
AD
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D003124:Colorimetry; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007211:Indoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017879:Isothiocyanates; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013454:Sulfoxides; D013861:Thiocyanates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D007211:Indoles; D017879:Isothiocyanates; D013454:Sulfoxides; D013861:Thiocyanates; C016517:indole-3-carbinol; C016766:sulforaphane