title: Induction of apoptosis by capsaicin in hepatocellular cancer cell line SMMC-7721 is mediated through ROS generation and activation of JNK and p38 MAPK pathways.
abstract: Capsaicin, one of the major pungent ingredients found in red peppers, has been shown to have anti-carcinogenic effect on various cancer cells through multiple mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the apoptotic effect of capsaicin on human hepatocellular cancer cell line SMMC-7721, as well as the possible mechanisms involved. Treatment of SMMC-7721 cells with capsaicin resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell-viability and induction of apoptosis which was associated with the generation of ROS and persistent disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. These effects were significantly blocked when cells were pretreated with a general antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). We also found that capsaicin induced JNK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. JNK and p38 MAPK inhibitor effectively blocked capsaicin-induced SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis. In addition, NAC completely blocked phosphorylation of JNK and p38 MAPK induced by capsaicin. Our results indicate that capsaicin induced in SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis through generation of intracellular ROS and activation of JNK and p38 MAPK pathways.
authors.forename: H Q
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Bu
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: X D
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: H Q
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Z J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cui
keywords: JNK and p38.; ROS; apoptosis; capsaicin; hepatocellular cancer