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Anti-metastatic effect of taraxasterol on prostate cancer cell lines
Morteza Movahhed1, Mona Pazhouhi2, Hadi Esmaeili Gouvarchin Ghaleh3
1Department of Pathology, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Background And Purpose:
Prostate cancer is the second cause of death among men. Nowadays, treating various cancers with medicinal plants is more common than other therapeutic agents due to their minor side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of taraxasterol on the prostate cancer cell line.
Experimental Approach:
The prostate cancer cell line (PC3) was cultured in a nutrient medium. MTT method and trypan blue staining were used to evaluate the viability of cells in the presence of different concentrations of taraxasterol, and IC50 was calculated. Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of MMP-9, MMP-2, uPA, uPAR, TIMP-2, and TIMP-1 genes. Gelatin zymography was used to determine MMP-9 and MMP-2 enzyme activity levels. Finally, the effect of taraxasterol on cell invasion, migration, and adhesion was investigated.
Findings/Results:
Taraxasterol decreased the survival rate of PC3 cells at IC50 time-dependently (24, 48, and 72 h). Taraxasterol reduced the percentage of PC3 cell adhesion, invasion, and migration by 74, 56, and 76 percent, respectively. Real-time PCR results revealed that uPA, uPAR, MMP-9, and MMP-2 gene expressions decreased in the taraxasterol-treated groups, but TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 gene expressions increased significantly. Also, a significant decrease in the level of MMP-9 and MMP-2 enzymes was observed in the PC3 cell line treated with taraxasterol.
Conclusion And Implications:
The present study confirmed the therapeutic role of taraxasterol in preventing prostate cancer cell metastasis in the in-vitro study.
Insights
Taraxasterol, a compound from medicinal plants, effectively inhibited prostate cancer cell survival, migration, and invasion in vitro. This study highlights its potential as a natural therapeutic agent against prostate cancer metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Products
Background:
- Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in men.
- Medicinal plants are increasingly explored for cancer treatment due to fewer side effects.
- Taraxasterol is a compound with potential anti-cancer properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-cancer effects of taraxasterol on a prostate cancer cell line (PC3).
- To investigate taraxasterol's impact on prostate cancer cell viability, adhesion, invasion, and migration.
- To analyze the molecular mechanisms underlying taraxasterol's action, including gene expression and enzyme activity.
Main Methods:
- Prostate cancer cell line (PC3) culture.
- MTT assay and trypan blue staining for cell viability.
- Real-time PCR for gene expression analysis (MMP-9, MMP-2, uPA, uPAR, TIMP-2, TIMP-1).
- Gelatin zymography for MMP enzyme activity.
- In vitro assays for cell adhesion, invasion, and migration.
Main Results:
- Taraxasterol significantly reduced PC3 cell viability in a time-dependent manner.
- Taraxasterol decreased cell adhesion by 74%, invasion by 56%, and migration by 76%.
- Gene expression of uPA, uPAR, MMP-9, and MMP-2 was downregulated, while TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 were upregulated.
- MMP-9 and MMP-2 enzyme activities were significantly reduced.
Conclusions:
- Taraxasterol demonstrates significant anti-cancer effects against prostate cancer cells in vitro.
- Taraxasterol inhibits key processes involved in cancer metastasis, including invasion and migration.
- The findings support the therapeutic potential of taraxasterol in preventing prostate cancer progression and metastasis.
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