Abstract Title:
Amygdalin induces apoptosis through regulation of Bax and Bcl-2 expressions
in human DU145 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells.
Abstract Source:
Abstract:
Prostate cancer is one of the most common non-skin cancers in men. Amygdalin
is one of the nitrilosides, natural cyanide-containing substances abundant in
the seeds of plants of the prunasin family that have been used to treat cancers
and relieve pain. In particular, D-amygdalin
(D-mandelonitrile-beta-D-gentiobioside) is known to exhibit selective killing
effect on cancer cells. Apoptosis, programmed cell death, is an important
mechanism in cancer treatment. In the present study, we prepared the aqueous
extract of the amygdalin from Armeniacae semen and investigated whether this
extract induces apoptotic cell death in human DU145 and LNCaP prostate cancer
cells. In the present results, DU145 and LNCaP cells treated with amygdalin
exhibited several morphological characteristics of apoptosis. Treatment with
amygdalin increased expression of Bax, a pro-apoptotic protein, decreased
expression of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, and increased caspase-3 enzyme
activity in DU145 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Here, we have shown that
amygdalin induces apoptotic cell death in human DU145 and LNCaP prostate cancer
cells by caspase-3 activation through down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation
of Bax. The present study reveals that amygdalin may offer a valuable option
for the treatment of prostate cancers.
Article
Published Date : Aug 01, 2006
Study Type : Animal Study
