Astaxanthin inhibits tumor invasion by decreasing extracellular matrix production and induces apoptosis in experimental rat colon carcinogenesis by modulating the expressions of ERK-2, NFkB and COX-2.
Colon cancer is the third most malignant neoplasm in the world and it remains an important cause of mortality in Asian and Western countries. Astaxanthin (AST), a major component of carotenoids possesses attractive remedial features. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possible mechanism of action of astaxanthin against 1, 2 dimethyl hydrazine (DMH)-induced rat colon carcinogenesis. Wistar male rats were randomized into five groups, group 1 were control rats, group 2 were rats that received AST (15 mg/kg body wt p.o. everyday), rats in group 3 were induced with DMH (40 mg/kg body wt, s.c.), DMH-induced rats in groups 4 and 5 were either pre or post initiated with AST, respectively as in group 2. DMH-induced rats exhibited elevated expressions of Nuclear factor kappa B-p65 (NF-κB-p65), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Matrixmetallo proteinases (MMP) 2/9, Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and Extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2 (ERK-2) as confirmed by immunofluorescence. Further, Westernblot analysis of MMPs-2/9, ERK-2 and Protein kinase B (Akt) revealed increased expressions of these proteins in DMH-induced groups of rats. AST-treatment decreased the expressions of all these vital proteins, involved in colon carcinogenesis. The ability of AST to induce apoptosis in the colon of DMH-induced rats was confirmed by Annexin-V/PI staining in a confocal microscopy, DNA fragmentation analysis and expression of caspase-3 by Western blotting. In conclusion, astaxanthin exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects by inducing apoptosis in DMH-induced rat colon carcinogenesis by modulating the expressions of NFkB, COX-2, MMPs-2/9, Akt and ERK-2.
Nagendraprabhu
Ponnuraj
P
Department of Biochemistry, University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil nadu, India.
Sudhandiran
Ganapasam
G
D019813:1,2-Dimethylhydrazine; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002452:Cell Count; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D016328:NF-kappa B; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D024341:Xanthophylls; C005948:astaxanthine; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D019813:1,2-Dimethylhydrazine