title: Induction of apoptosis of SW480 human colon cancer cells by (-)-epicatechin isolated from Bulnesia sarmienti.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  (-)-Epicatechin is a major constituent of Bulnesia sarmienti, which is known to possess anticancer properties. Here we report that (-)-epicatechin isolated from B. Sarmienti inhibited growth and induced apoptosis of SW480 human colon cancer cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cells were treated with different concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 μmol/ml) of (-)-epicatechin. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, 40,6-diamidine-20-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining, colony-forming assay, DNA fragmentation analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) staining, and immunoblot analyses were then carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (-)-Epicatechin was found to have cytotoxic activity, and cells treated with this compound had fragmented nuclei, fragmented DNA, and underwent apoptosis. mRNA and protein expression levels of BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) and p53 were up-regulated and those of B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2) were down-regulated, while p21 mRNA levels were significantly increased in cells treated with (-)-epicatechin in a concentration-dependent manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  (-)-Epicatechin from B. Sarmienti inhibited colon cancer cell growth and induced apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: DVM, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, #1370 Sangyeok-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu, 702-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Daeik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mohammad Lalmoddin
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mollah
authors.forename: Kilsoo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002392:Catechin / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000737:chemistry; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D028461:Zygophyllaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; C494826:BAX protein, human; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007211:Indoles; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C495901:TP53 protein, human; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; C007293:DAPI; D002392:Catechin