Capsaicin induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human esophagus epidermoid carcinoma CE 81T/VGH cells through the elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ productions and caspase-3 activation.
Capsaicin (N-vanillyl-8-methyl-1-nonenamide) is found in pungent fruits, especially in red pepper. Many studies have focused on the anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic or chemopreventive activities of capsaicin. However, the effects of capsaicin on human esophagus epidermoid carcinoma cells have never been investigated. In this study, we investigated the effects of capsaicin on esophagus epidermoid carcinoma cells in vitro and further examined the molecular mechanisms of capsaicin-induced apoptosis in esophagus epidermoid carcinoma cells. Capsaicin decreased the percentage of viable cells of CE 81T/VGH cells, via induction of G0-G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Capsaicin induced G0-G1 phase arrest underwent the promotion of p53 and p21, which is an inhibitor of Cdk2 and cyclin E complex before leading to the inhibitions of both compounds. Capsaicin induced apoptosis in time-dependent manners. Capsaicin-induced apoptosis was in association with the elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ productions and BAPTA, an intracellular Ca2+ chelator, which significantly inhibited capsaicin-induced apoptosis. Collectively, these results suggest that the capsaicin-induced apoptosis in the CE 81T/VGH cells may result from the activation of caspase-3 and intracellular Ca2+ release pathway, and it is further suggested that capsaicin has potential as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of esophagus epidermoid carcinoma cells.
Wu
Chih-Chung
CC
Department of Nutrition and Health Science, Fooyin University, Ta-Liao Hsiang, Kaohsiung Hsien 831, Taiwan, ROC.
Lin
Jing-Pin
JP
Yang
Jai-Sing
JS
Chou
Su-Tze
ST
Chen
Ssu-Ching
SC
Lin
Yuh-Tzy
YT
Lin
Hui-Lu
HL
Chung
Jing-Gung
JG
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016193:G1 Phase / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007424:Intracellular Fluid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D016192:Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D053148:Caspase 3; D002211:Capsaicin; D002118:Calcium