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Drug-like dietary vanilloids induce anticancer activity through proliferation inhibition and regulation of

Chun-Wai Mai1, Yew-Beng Kang1, Vishna Devi Nadarajah2

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Phytotherapy Research : PTR
|February 22, 2018
PubMed

Insights

The vanilloid compound 6-shogaol (Vn16) effectively reduced colorectal cancer cell growth and induced apoptosis. It regulated key apoptotic markers, suggesting potential chemopreventive properties from vanilloid-rich foods.

Area of Science:

  • Natural Products Chemistry
  • Cancer Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Vanilloids are natural compounds found in foods with potential health benefits.
  • Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Understanding the mechanisms of action of natural compounds is crucial for drug discovery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of various vanilloids against diverse human cancer cell lines.
  • To identify specific vanilloids with potent anti-cancer activity.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer effects of the most promising vanilloid.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of 20 structurally similar vanilloids for antiproliferative activity against 12 human cancer cell lines.
  • Confirmation of apoptosis induction using dual staining fluorescence microscopy and ELISA.
  • Analysis of the regulation of 43 apoptosis-related markers in response to vanilloid treatment.

Main Results:

  • 6-shogaol (Vn16) demonstrated the most potent cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects against human colorectal cancer cells (HT-29).
  • Vn16 induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells, confirmed by microscopy and biochemical assays.
  • Treatment with Vn16 resulted in the significant upregulation or downregulation of 8 key apoptotic markers, including caspases and BCL-2 family proteins.

Conclusions:

  • 6-shogaol (Vn16) is a potent inducer of apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.
  • The anti-cancer effects of Vn16 involve the modulation of critical apoptotic pathways.
  • These findings support the chemopreventive potential of vanilloids found in various foods.
Keywords:
apoptosiscancervanilloids

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