title: Morusin induces cell death through inactivating STAT3 signaling in prostate cancer cells.
abstract: STAT3 has been recognized as an efficacious drug target for prostate cancer because of its constitutive activation in this fatal disease. We recently identified the root bark of Morus alba Linn. as a potential STAT3 inhibitor among 33 phytomedicines traditionally used in Korea. Morusin, an active compound isolated from the root bark of Morus alba, has shown anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we examined whether morusin has a potential as an anti-cancer agent in prostate cancer. We found that morusin suppressed viability of prostate cancer cells, but little effect in normal human prostate epithelial cells. Morusin also reduced STAT3 activity by inhibiting its phosphorylation, nuclear accumulation, and DNA binding activity. In addition, morusin down-regulated expression of STAT3 target genes encoding Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, Survivin, c-Myc and Cyclin D1, which are involved in regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle. Furthermore, morusin induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells by reducing STAT3 activity. Taken together, these results suggest that morusin could be a potentially therapeutic agent for prostate cancer by reducing STAT3 activity and inducing apoptosis.
authors: Cancer Preventive Material Development Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sung-Lyul
authors: SL
authors: Lim
authors: Cancer Preventive Material Development Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sang-Yoon
authors: SY
authors: Park
authors: Cancer Preventive Material Development Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sukmin
authors: S
authors: Kang
authors: Cancer Preventive Material Development Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors: Dain
authors: D
authors: Park
authors: Cancer Preventive Material Development Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea ; Department of Science in Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors: Sung-Hoon
authors: SH
authors: Kim
authors: Cancer Preventive Material Development Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea ; Department of Science in Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jae-Young
authors: JY
authors: Um
authors: Department of Science in Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors: Hyeung-Jin
authors: HJ
authors: Jang
authors: Department of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea ; Korean Medicine Clinical Trial Center, Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital Seoul 130-872, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jun-Hee
authors: JH
authors: Lee
authors: Institute for New Drug Development, College of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Keimyung University Daegu 704-701, Republic of Korea.
authors: Chul-Ho
authors: CH
authors: Jeong
authors: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University Daegu 704-701, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jung-Hee
authors: JH
authors: Jang
authors: Cancer Preventive Material Development Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea ; Department of Science in Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors: Kwang Seok
authors: KS
authors: Ahn
authors: Cancer Preventive Material Development Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea ; Department of Science in Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea ; Korean Medicine Clinical Trial Center, Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital Seoul 130-872, Republic of Korea.
authors: Seok-Geun
authors: SG
authors: Lee
keywords: Morusin; SHP1; STAT3; apoptosis; prostate cancer; traditional phytomedicine
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