title: Methylanthraquinone from Hedyotis diffusa WILLD induces Ca(2+)-mediated apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.
abstract: Methylanthraquinone from Hedyotis diffusa WILLD exhibited potent anticancer activity in many kinds of cancer cells. However, the exact mechanism and signaling pathway involved in methylanthraquinone-induced apoptosis have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, we explored the mechanisms of methylanthraquinone-mediated apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. When MCF-7 cells were co-incubated with methylanthraquinone, the percentage of apoptotic cell and S phase of cell cycle was markedly increased. In addition, a rise in intracellular calcium levels, phosphorylation of JNK and activation of calpain were found in MCF-7 cells after exposure to methylanthraquinone. With the methylanthraquinone-mediated reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c was released from mitochondria to cytosol. Moreover, methylanthraquinone strongly induced cleavage of caspase-4, caspase-9 and caspase-7 in MCF-7 cells. These results suggested that methylanthraquinone from Hedyotis diffusa WILLD induced MCF-7 cells apoptosis via Ca(2+)/calpain/caspase-4 pathway.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceuticals, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China. liu306608@sohu.com.cn
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Miao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jianchun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D032064:Hedyotis / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D051336:Mitochondrial Membranes / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000880:Anthraquinones; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D053148:Caspase 3; D002118:Calcium