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Published on: August 17, 2018

Physalin B from Physalis angulata triggers the NOXA-related apoptosis pathway of human melanoma A375 cells

Chia-Chun Hsu1, Yang-Chang Wu, Lynn Farh

  • 1Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, and Department of Internal Medicine, E-DA Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.

Food and Chemical Toxicology : an International Journal Published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
|January 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Physalin B, derived from Physalis angulata L., shows potent anti-melanoma effects by inducing cancer cell apoptosis. This natural compound offers a promising new avenue for treating metastatic melanoma.

Area of Science:

  • Natural Products Chemistry
  • Cancer Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with limited systemic treatment options.
  • Metastatic melanoma requires effective chemotherapeutic agents for treatment.
  • Physalis angulata L. is a medicinal herb with potential therapeutic compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anti-melanoma effects of physalin B, a compound from Physalis angulata L.
  • To determine the mechanism of action of physalin B on melanoma cells.
  • To evaluate physalin B as a potential chemotherapeutic lead for melanoma.

Main Methods:

  • Cytotoxicity assays on BRAF-mutated melanoma cell lines (A375, A2058).
  • Apoptosis detection using phosphatidylserine externalization and apoptotic cell morphology.
  • Western blot analysis to assess proapoptotic protein (NOXA, Bax, caspase-3) expression.

Main Results:

  • Physalin B exhibited significant cytotoxicity against BRAF-mutated melanoma cells (IC50 < 4.6 μg/ml).
  • Cytotoxicity was mediated by apoptosis, evidenced by phosphatidylserine detection and cell morphology changes.
  • Physalin B induced NOXA, Bax, and caspase-3 expression, indicating a mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway.

Conclusions:

  • Physalin B effectively induces apoptosis in melanoma cells through NOXA, caspase-3, and mitochondria-dependent pathways.
  • Physalin B demonstrated selectivity, sparing normal human skin fibroblast and myoblastic cells.
  • Physalin B shows potential as a novel chemotherapeutic lead compound for malignant melanoma treatment.

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