Plaunotol induces apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.

Abstract

Although some isoprenoids, such as taxans and geranylgeraniol (GGOH), have been reported to have strong anticancer activities, the effect of plaunotol, the isoprenoid extracted from the leaves of Plau-noi, on cancer has not yet been evaluated. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of plaunotol on gastric cancer cell lines. Three gastric cancer cell lines, namely MKN-45, MKN-74 and AZ-521 were used. Plaunotol was tested at 10, 20, 30 and 40 micromol/L. Plaunotol dose-dependently inhibited the growth of all gastric cancer cells, dependent on the induction of apoptosis. Caspases-8, -9 and -3, were found to be activated in the apoptotic cells. The expression of Bax protein was increased, but Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL protein expressions were not significantly affected. Plaunotol should be a promising new antitumor agent, and since it is already available for clinical use in Japan, its anticancer properties should be confirmed in clinical trials.

• Authors: Jun Yamada, Kazushige Kawai, Nelson H Tsuno, Joji Kitayama, Takeshi Tsuchiya, Satomi Yoneyama, Masahiro Asakage, Yurai Okaji, Koki Takahashi, Hirokazu Nagawa
• Journal: Planta medica (Planta Med) Vol. 73 Issue 10 Pg. 1068-73 (Aug 2007) ISSN: 0032-0943 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 17691055 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• Diterpenes
• Fatty Alcohols
• Plant Extracts
• Caspases
• plaunotol

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Caspases (metabolism)
• Cell Line, Tumor (drug effects)
• Croton
• Diterpenes
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Fatty Alcohols (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• In Situ Nick-End Labeling
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Extracts (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Stomach Neoplasms (pathology)