Abstract
Pogostemon cablin (PC) is a traditional herbal medicine used in the treatment of the common cold, nausea, diarrhea, and even for headaches and fever. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-proliferative activity of PC in endometrial cancer (EC) cells have yet to be fully elucidated. This study investigated the anticancer effects of an aqueous extract of Pogostemon cablin (PCAE), specifically induced apoptosis in EC (Ishikawa) cells. Proliferation of EC cells following exposure to PCAE was assessed by an MTT assay. DNA content and the induction of cell cycle apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry (FACS Calibur). Protein caspase-3 and, -9 as well as AIF were investigated using Western blot. Our results demonstrate growth inhibition of Ishikawa cells by PCAE. Furthermore, caspase-3 activity caused PCAE-treated cell lines to accumulate in apoptosis. Gene expression profiling (GEP) results further suggest that, in addition to its known effects with regard to EC prevention, PCAE may also exert antitumor activity on established EC cells. Many previous studies have identified the chemo-preventive effects of natural plant materials and the potential role of these materials in chemotherapy. This current study used human EC Ishikawa cells to investigate the anti-tumor effects of PCAE in EC cells. Our results demonstrate that PCAE inhibits the growth of cancer cells and induces apoptosis, which suggests the potential applicability of PCAE as an antitumor agent.
Highlights
The prevalence of endometrial cancer (EC) tends to be higher in developing countries [1]; the number of new cases is increasing worldwide
We explored the effects of Pogostemon cablin aqueous extract (PCAE) on EC (Ishikawa) cells in order to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms
This study hypothesized that PCAE could mediate the survival of Ishikawa cells and thereby inhibit proliferation
Summary
The prevalence of endometrial cancer (EC) tends to be higher in developing countries [1]; the number of new cases is increasing worldwide. Increases in malignancy have forced physicians to develop new diagnostic and treatment modalities for this cancer [2]. Severe side effects and limits to the therapeutic efficacy of conventional cancer treatments has led to the widespread application of complementary and/or alternative medicines (CAMs) [5]. THL has recently been shown to induce apoptosis in cancer cells and activate caspase-3, -8, and -9 [8]. Despite the fact that many of these studies provided information related to the isolation and identification of PCAE [13] and molecular basis of PC-induced anticancer activities, the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. We explored the effects of PCAE on EC (Ishikawa) cells in order to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. We focused on the influence of PCAE on the induction of apoptosis and apoptosis-related gene expression in Ishikawa cells
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