title: Induction of G1 arrest and apoptosis in androgen-dependent human prostate cancer by Kuguacin J, a triterpenoid from Momordica charantia leaf.
abstract: In this study, we focused on the effects of a bitter melon (Momordica charantia) leaf extract (BMLE) and a purified component, Kuguacin J (KuJ), on androgen-dependent LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. Both treatments exerted growth inhibition through G1 arrest and induction of apoptosis. In addition, KuJ markedly decreased the levels of cyclins (D1 and E), cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk2 and Cdk4) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and caused an increase in p21 and p27 levels. Its induction of apoptosis was accompanied by an increase in cleavage of caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, attributable to augment of Bax/Bcl-2 and Bad/Bcl-xL and reduction of survivin levels. BMLE and KuJ also reduced the expression of androgen receptor (AR), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) while induced P53 protein level. Down-regulation of p53 by RNA interference indicated that BMLE and KuJ inhibited cell growth partly through p53-dependent cell cycle arrest and apoptotic pathways. Both BMLE and KuJ caused less toxicity in a normal prostate cell line, PNT1A. Our results suggest that BMLE and a purified component, KuJ, from its diethyl ether fraction could be promising candidate new antineoplastic and chemopreventive agents for androgen-dependent prostate cancer and carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Pathology and Tumor Biology, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Pornsiri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pitchakarn
authors.forename: Shugo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Kumiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Wilart
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pompimon
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asamoto
authors.forename: Pornngarm
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Limtrakul
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shirai
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D016193:G1 Phase / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D029777:Momordica charantia / Q000737:chemistry*; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D014315:Triterpenes