Therapeutic Potential of Pseudopterosin H on a Prostate Cancer Cell Line

Abstract

Metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer has remained predominantly incurable despite various advancements in cancer therapeutics. The lack of readily available and effective treatment options have driven research for alternative therapies, such as the use of marine natural products. Marine natural products are secondary metabolites produced by and isolated from marine organisms. The Pseudopterosins, a group of diterpene glycosides isolated from gorgonian soft corals, are of interest in cancer research. Previous studies performed on the Pseudopterosins have indicated that these compounds possess cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activity in various malignant cell lines. We hypothesized that Pseudopterosin H will demonstrate anti-neoplastic activity in the PC-3 prostate cancer cell line by reducing cell viability and altering the concentration of intracellularreactive oxygen species through cytotoxic and apoptotic effects. Pseudopterosin H was isolated from the marine coral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae. The therapeutic efficacy of Pseudopterosin H was assessed on the PC-3 cell line, at various treatment concentrations, through in-vitro screening using the MTT, NBT, and LDH assays, as well as AO/EB fluorescent staining. Results from our study have shown that treatment with Pseudopterosin H reduces PC-3 cell viability by inducing apoptosis and downregulating the production of reactive oxygen species. The chemosensitivity of PC-3 cells to treatment with Pseudopterosin H suggests potential prophylactic and therapeutic advantage in the treatment of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer.