Evaluating the effects of ellagic acid on pSTAT3, pAKT, and pERK1/2 signaling pathways in prostate cancer PC3 cells.
OBJECTIVE
One of the most common malignancies among men is prostate cancer. Ellagic acid (EA), a polyphenol antioxidant, has many pharmacological actions, especially anticancer effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of EA treatment on interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene expression, cell viability, IL-6 secretion, phosphorylated STAT3, ERK, and AKT cellular signaling proteins in human prostate cancer cells (PC3).


METHODS
The cytotoxic effects of the EA (0-100 µM) on PC3 cells were determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. IL-6 gene expression was down, using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The cellular concentration of phosphorylated ERK1/2, AKT, and STAT3 signaling pathways was assessed by Western blotting technic.


RESULTS
EA treatment of PC3 cells resulted in a reduction of cell viability and phosphorylated STAT3, ERK, and AKT signaling proteins after 72 h in a dose-dependent manner. IL-6 gene expression and IL-6 levels significantly increased (P < 0.05) in a dose-dependent pattern in treated PC3 with EA. Thus, these data suggested the essential role of signaling proteins in EA-mediated anti-proliferation of PC3 cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Our finding shows that EA can be considered as a potent agent that decreases cell proliferation through a reduction of phosphorylated STAT3, ERK, and AKT cellular signaling proteins.
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Biochemistry Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
Elaheh
E
Eskandari
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Biochemistry Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
Esfandiar
E
Heidarian
Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
Sayed Asadollah
SA
Amini
Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
Javad
J
Saffari-Chaleshtori
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D015415:Biomarkers; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004610:Ellagic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism*; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; D004610:Ellagic Acid; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt