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Cactus pear extracts induce reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells
Jean M Feugang1, Fei Ye, David Y Zhang
1University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
Abstract:
The protective effect of natural products such as fruits and vegetables against cancer has attracted great attention because of their fewer side effects and therefore, potentially greater safety. We have previously reported that cactus pear mixture aqueous extract (CME) reduces gynecologic cancer cells growth by inducting apoptosis. This study aimed to elucidate the cellular pathway(s) triggered by CME in cancer cells. Normal, immortalized ovarian and ovarian cancer cells (OVCA420, SKOV3) were treated with 5 and 10% CME. After 2 days of treatment, immortalized cells treated with 10% CME accumulated more ROS than untreated cells, whereas cancer cells cultured with 5% and 10% CME exhibited a dramatic increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Greater levels of DNA fragmentation, together with a perturbed expression of apoptotic-related (Bax, Bad, caspase 3, Bcl2, p53, and p21) and ROS-sensitive (NF-kappaB, c-jun/c-fos) genes were observed in the treated cancer cells. After three days of treatment, the NF-kappaB and p-/SAPK/JNK expressions were decreased, whereas p-AKT was upregulated. The CME significantly induced apoptosis in cancer cells. The results suggest an inhibitory effect of Arizona CME on cancer cell growth through the accumulation of intracellular ROS, which may activate a cascade of reactions leading to the apoptosis.
Insights
Cactus pear extract (CME) combats cancer cells by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), triggering apoptosis and inhibiting tumor growth. This natural product offers a safer alternative for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Natural Products Chemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Natural products like fruits and vegetables show promise in cancer prevention due to fewer side effects.
- Cactus pear mixture aqueous extract (CME) has previously demonstrated anti-cancer properties by inducing apoptosis in gynecologic cancer cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific cellular pathways activated by CME in ovarian cancer cells.
- To understand how CME influences reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and apoptosis-related gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Ovarian cancer cells (OVCA420, SKOV3) and normal cells were treated with varying concentrations of CME (5% and 10%).
- Assessed reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, DNA fragmentation, and the expression of key apoptotic and ROS-sensitive genes (Bax, Bad, caspase 3, Bcl2, p53, p21, NF-kappaB, c-jun/c-fos, SAPK/JNK, AKT).
Main Results:
- CME treatment significantly increased ROS levels in cancer cells.
- Elevated DNA fragmentation and altered expression of apoptosis-related genes were observed in treated cancer cells.
- CME modulated signaling pathways, decreasing NF-kappaB and increasing p-AKT, ultimately inducing apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Cactus pear extract exhibits an inhibitory effect on ovarian cancer cell growth.
- The anti-cancer mechanism involves the accumulation of intracellular ROS, leading to apoptosis.
- CME represents a potential natural therapeutic agent for cancer treatment with a favorable safety profile.
