Induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP by Ukrain

Exposure of LNCaP prostate cancer cells to Ukrain (NSC-631570), a novel semisynthetic drug from Chelidonium majus L., results in cell growth inhibition which is concomitant with apoptosis. After 24 h treatment with 3.5 microM of Ukrain as many as 73% cells were found in the G2/M phase. However, at higher drug concentrations (7 microM and 17.5 microM) the changes in cell phase distribution were less dramatic but cell accumulation in the G2/M phase was still evident. The rate of apoptotic cells rose steadily with increased drug concentration in a dose-dependent manner and reached 20% at a dosage of 17.5 microM. To investigate whether the cell cycle control mechanisms are affected in response to Ukrain, we analyzed the expression levels of some cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) and apoptosis-related proteins in drug treated cancer cells. Western blot experiments revealed alterations in levels of CDK1 and CDK2, after treatment. Up-regulation of the CDK inhibitor p27 was observed, which may lead to G2/M cell accumulation, but no substantial changes in expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were found.