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Lunasin-aspirin combination against NIH/3T3 cells transformation induced by chemical carcinogens
Chia-Chien Hsieh1, Blanca Hernández-Ledesma, Ben O de Lumen
1Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3104, USA.
Abstract:
Carcinogenesis is a multistage process involving a number of molecular pathways sensitive to intervention. Chemoprevention is defined as the use of natural and/or synthetic substances to block, reverse, or retard the process of carcinogenesis. To achieve greater inhibitory effects on cancer cells, combination of two or more chemopreventive agents is commonly considered as a better preventive and/or therapeutic strategy. Lunasin is a promising cancer preventive peptide identified in soybean and other seeds. Its efficacy has been demonstrated by both in vitro and in vivo models. This peptide has been found to inhibit human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells proliferation, suppressing cell cycle progress and inducing cell apoptosis. Moreover, lunasin potentiates the effects on these cells of different synthetic and natural compounds, such as aspirin and anacardic acid. This study explored the role of lunasin, alone and in combination with aspirin and anacardic acid on cell proliferation and foci formation of transformed NIH/3T3 cells induced by chemical carcinogens 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene or 3-methylcholanthrene. The results revealed that lunasin, acting as a single agent, inhibits cell proliferation and foci formation. When combined with aspirin, these effects were significantly increased, indicating that this combination might be a promising strategy to prevent/treat cancer induced by chemical carcinogens.
Insights
Lunasin, a soybean peptide, inhibits cancer cell growth. Combining lunasin with aspirin significantly enhances its cancer-preventive effects against chemical carcinogens.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Chemoprevention
Background:
- Carcinogenesis is a complex, multi-step process influenced by various molecular pathways.
- Chemoprevention utilizes natural or synthetic agents to inhibit or reverse cancer development.
- Combining chemopreventive agents can enhance efficacy for cancer prevention and therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chemopreventive effects of lunasin, alone and in combination with aspirin and anacardic acid.
- To evaluate the impact of these agents on cell proliferation and foci formation in chemically induced transformed cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized transformed NIH/3T3 cells induced by chemical carcinogens (7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene or 3-methylcholanthrene).
- Assessed the effects of lunasin, aspirin, and anacardic acid, individually and in combination, on cell proliferation and foci formation.
Main Results:
- Lunasin demonstrated inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and foci formation as a single agent.
- The combination of lunasin and aspirin showed significantly increased inhibitory effects compared to lunasin alone.
- Anacardic acid was also explored in combination with lunasin, though the primary focus was on the lunasin-aspirin synergy.
Conclusions:
- Lunasin exhibits potential as a chemopreventive agent against chemical carcinogen-induced transformation.
- The combination of lunasin with aspirin presents a promising strategy for cancer prevention and treatment.
- Further research into synergistic combinations of natural and synthetic chemopreventive agents is warranted.
