Growth-inhibitory effects of the astaxanthin-rich alga Haematococcus pluvialis in human colon cancer cells.
The growth-inhibitory effects of the astaxanthin-rich Haematococcus pluvialis were studied in HCT-116 colon cancer cells. H. pluvialis extract (5-25 microg/ml) inhibited cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner, by arresting cell cycle progression and by promoting apoptosis. At 25 microg/ml of H. pluvialis extract, an increase of p53, p21(WAF-1/CIP-1) and p27 expression (220%, 160%, 250%, respectively) was observed, concomitantly with a decrease of cyclin D1 expression (58%) and AKT phosphorylation (21%). Moreover, the extract, at the same concentration, strongly up-regulated apoptosis by modifying the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL, and increased the phosphorylation of p38, JNK, and ERK1/2 by 160%, 242%, 280%, respectively. Growth-inhibitory effects by H. pluvialis were also observed in HT-29, LS-174, WiDr, SW-480 cells. This study suggests that H. pluvialis may protect from colon cancer.
Palozza
Paola
P
Institute of General Pathology, Catholic University School of Medicine, L. Go F. Vito, 1 00168 Rome, Italy. p.palozza@rm.unicatt.it
Torelli
Cristiana
C
Boninsegna
Alma
A
Simone
Rossella
R
Catalano
Assunta
A
Mele
Maria Cristina
MC
Picci
Nevio
N
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000737:chemistry; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology
D024341:Xanthophylls; C005948:astaxanthine