Induction of apoptosis by a synergistic lignan composition from Cedrus deodara in human cancer cells.
AP9-cd, a synergistic lignan mixture from Cedrus deodara (Pinaceae) consisting of (-)-wikstromal, (-)-matairesinol and dibenzyl butyrolactol, depicted cytotoxic effects against numerous human cancer cell lines reported previously. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of cell death in human cancer cells. The viability, morphological and ultrastructural changes in Molt-4 cells were investigated. Using the trypan blue exclusion assay, we demonstrated that AP9-cd significantly reduced the viability of Molt-4 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Apoptotic assays using light microscopy revealed that this agent induced Molt-4 cell apoptosis at varied concentrations. The treatment causes a loss in cell viability by activating the apoptotic process as identified by light and electron microscopy. The morphological changes of intracellular organelles in Molt-4 cells treated with 30 microg/ml of AP9-cd revealed the disruption of mitochondrial cristae. Other features included the vacuolization, chromatin condensation and formation of micronuclei. Surface ultrastructural studies of four different tumor cell lines (Molt-4, HL-60, PC-3 and A-549) treated with AP9-cd depicted loss of surface projections, condensation and formation of apoptotic bodies. AP9-cd treatment to transgenic fruit fly, Drosophila, carrying human adenomatous polpyposis coli (hAPC) gene enhanced eye phenotypes and therefore may inhibit Wnt/Wg pathway which is important in the aetiology of a number of human cancers.
Sharma
Parduman R
PR
Division of Pharmacology, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Canal Road Jammu Tawi-180016, India. prsharma2k1@rediffmail.com
Shanmugavel
M
M
Saxena
Ajit K
AK
Qazi
Ghulam N
GN
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001593:Benzyl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D028203:Cedrus / Q000737:chemistry*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival; D004330:Drosophila / Q000187:drug effects; D005663:Furans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D017705:Lignans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000187:drug effects; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013440:Sulfides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000187:drug effects
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D001593:Benzyl Compounds; D005663:Furans; D017705:Lignans; D013440:Sulfides; D051153:Wnt Proteins; C495415:dibenzyl trisulfide; C068935:matairesinol