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Selective induction of apoptosis of human oral cancer cell lines by avocado extracts via a ROS-mediated mechanism

Haiming Ding1, Chunhua Han, Dongmei Guo

  • 1Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, 460 W 12th Avenue BRT 714, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. ding.29@osu.edu

Nutrition and Cancer
|April 18, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Avocado phytochemicals selectively induce apoptosis in oral cancer cells by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Reducing ROS levels protects cancer cells, suggesting ROS modulation as a chemoprevention strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Phytochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Avocado phytochemicals possess potential chemopreventive properties.
  • Previous research indicated selective apoptosis induction in cancer cells by avocado extract (D003).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in D003-induced apoptosis in oral cancer cells.
  • To explore the potential of ROS modulation for chemoprevention strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of oral cancer and normal oral epithelial cell lines with avocado extract (D003).
  • Measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.
  • Assessment of apoptosis induction.
  • Intervention with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) to reduce ROS levels.
  • Analysis of D003 effects on HPV16 E6/E7 transformed cells.

Main Results:

  • D003 significantly increased ROS levels and induced apoptosis in oral cancer cells, but not normal cells.
  • Reducing ROS levels with NAC rendered cancer cells resistant to D003-induced apoptosis.
  • D003-induced apoptosis was linked to increased ROS via mitochondrial complex I.
  • Normal cells transformed with HPV16 E6/E7, exhibiting higher basal ROS, became sensitive to D003.

Conclusions:

  • Perturbing ROS levels is a key mechanism for selective apoptosis induction by avocado phytochemicals in oral cancer.
  • Targeting ROS levels presents a promising molecular strategy for chemoprevention of oral cancer.

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