Abstract
BackgroundTorch ginger (Etlingera elatior, EE) is a ginger plant that found in Southeast Asia. Previous study showed its flowers and leaves composed of several flavonoids with anti-cancer activity. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of EE extract on cell death induction in melanoma cells.MethodsTo carry out this study, the cytotoxic effect of EE extract was performed using MTT assay. Nuclear morphological change and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were observed using Hoechst 33,342 and JC-1 staining. Flow cytometry using Annexin V/PI double staining assessed apoptosis, necrosis and viability. Caspase activity was detected by caspase activity kits. The expression of Bcl-2 family proteins, ERK and Akt signaling pathways were examined by Western blot analysis.ResultsThe treatment of EE extract resulted in a dose- and time-dependent reduction in cell viability in B16 cells. It also induced nuclear condensation, phosphatidylserine exposure, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, which are markers of apoptosis. Furthermore, the expression of Bim was increased instead of Bax and Bcl-2. The results also showed caspase-independent activity and the down-regulation of ERK and Akt signaling pathway.ConclusionThe results suggest that EE extract induced caspase-independent cell death via down-regulation of ERK and Akt pathways in B16 cells. This may be beneficial as a chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agent in melanoma treatment.
Highlights
Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior, EE) is a ginger plant that found in Southeast Asia
Cytotoxic effect of EE extract To investigate the cytotoxic effect of EE extract, the cancer cell line used in this study was mouse melanoma B16 cells whereas the normal cell line used was monkey kidney Vero cells
EE extract is only cytotoxic to melanoma cells and the IC50 of EE extract in B16 cells was about 15 μg/ml and this concentration was used in subsequent experiments
Summary
Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior, EE) is a ginger plant that found in Southeast Asia. Previous study showed its flowers and leaves composed of several flavonoids with anti-cancer activity. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of EE extract on cell death induction in melanoma cells. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and Europe whereas is uncommon in Asia. The causes of skin cancer are from genetic mutation and from environmental factors such as long time exposure to sunlight or UV light. Melanoma is less common cancer but is the most dangerous form of skin cancer because it can spread to other parts of the body. Melanoma is originated from the transformation of melanocyte, which produces the melanin pigment in the skin. Melanoma can occur anywhere on your body where there is melanin, even though it has not been exposed to sunlight [1].
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