Stem Extract from Momordica cochinchinensis Induces Apoptosis in Chemoresistant Human Prostate Cancer Cells (PC-3)

• Published in: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2022-02, Vol.27 (4), p.1313
• Main Authors: Chainumnim, Seksom, Saenkham, Audchara, Dolsophon, Kulvadee, Chainok, Kittipong, Suksamrarn, Sunit, Tanechpongtamb, Wanlaya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - pharmacology; Apoptosis; Apoptosis - drug effects; Apoptosis - genetics; Bcl-x protein; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cancer therapies; Caspase-3; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cell viability; chemoresistant; Constituents; Cytotoxicity; DNA fragmentation; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug development; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm - drug effects; Flame ionization detectors; Gas chromatography; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic - drug effects; Humans; Investigations; Ionization; Mcl-1 protein; Membrane potential; Mitochondria; Models, Molecular; Molecular Structure; Momordica - chemistry; Momordica cochinchinensis; Morphology; Noxa; Phytochemicals; Phytochemicals - chemistry; Phytochemicals - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Stems - chemistry; Prostate cancer; Proteins; Seeds; Staining; stem extract; Stems; Structure-Activity Relationship; Western blotting
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules27041313

Natural compounds have been recognized as valuable sources for anticancer drug development. In this work, different parts from Spreng were selected to perform cytotoxic screening against human prostate cancer (PC-3) cells. Chromatographic separation and purification were performed for the main constituents of the most effective extract. The content of the fatty acids was determined by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). Chemical structural elucidation was performed by spectroscopic means. For the mechanism of the apoptotic induction of the most effective extract, the characteristics were evaluated by Hoechst 33342 staining, sub-G1 peak analysis, JC-1 staining, and Western blotting. As a result, extracts from different parts of significantly inhibited cancer cell viability. The most effective stem extract induced apoptosis in PC-3 cells by causing nuclear fragmentation, increasing the sub-G1 peak, and changing the mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, the stem extract increased the pro-apoptotic (caspase-3 and Noxa) mediators while decreasing the anti-apoptotic (Bcl-xL and Mcl-1) mediators. The main constituents of the stem extract are α-spinasterol and ligballinol, as well as some fatty acids. Our results demonstrated that the stem extract of has cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in PC-3 cells. These results provide basic knowledge for developing antiproliferative agents for prostate cancer in the future.