Effects of Acorus calamus plant extract on prostate cancer cell culture

Abstract

In western countries, prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of death from cancer in men. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), thought to be the single most important angiogenic factor in prostat cancer. Poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) involved in apoptotic process and cleavage of PARP serves as a marker of cells undergoing apoptosis. Acorus calamus have long been considered to have anti-carcinogenic and medicinal properties especially in Asia. We examined whether ethanolic extract of A. calamus root affects the survival of prostate cancer LNCaP cells and induces apoptosis and angiogenesis of these cells in vitro. Cells were incubated during 24 and 48 hours with various doses of extract. Extract with these concentrations reduced the number of LNCaP living cells up to 44 % as compared to the control at dose and time dependent manner at 24 and 48 hours. Significantly alterations were observed at cleaved PARP, VEGF-A protein and gene expression amounts after 24 and 48 hours. The present study reveals the possibility that ethanolic extract of A. calamus root posseses a dose and time dependent anticancer, apoptotic and anti-angiogenic properties.