Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the cytotoxic mechanisms of an extract from the leaves of the Urtica dioica (UD) plant in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Methods: LNCaP cells were exposed to the UD extract for 24hrs and cell viability assessed using the MTT assay. Reactive oxygen species generation was assessed using the NBT assay and mitochondrial membrane potential using JCI-aggregation. DNA fragmentation patterns and cleavage of poly (ADPribose) polymerase were assessed using western blot and caspase activation via colorimetric assay. Results: The viability of LNCaP cells was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner following 24-h treatment with the UD extract. The reactive oxygen species levels were also significantly increased and mitochondrial depolarization was evident. DNA fragmentation, PARP cleavage and an increase in the activities of caspases 3 and 9 were observed in cells treated with the UD extract and this confirmed the induction of apoptosis as the major cytotoxic modality for this extract. Conclusion: The results confirm that the cytotoxic activity of UD aqueous extract in LNCaP cells is mediated through oxidative stress and apoptosis. These findings could hold positive implications for the potential use of UD extract in prostate cancer therapy. Keywords : Urtica dioica, Cytotoxicity, DNA fragmentation, PARP cleavage, Caspases, Prostate cancer
Highlights
Substantial advances have been made in therapeutic options, cancer of the prostate remains a great public health concern globally
We evaluated several events involved in induced cell death including increased oxidative stress, mitochondrial depolarization, DNA fragmentation, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and caspase activation
Data from the present study demonstrate that Urtica dioica (UD) aqueous extract produces a potent cytotoxic effect in LNCap cells that is mediated through apoptosis
Summary
Substantial advances have been made in therapeutic options, cancer of the prostate remains a great public health concern globally. It is highly prevalent in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean population where it is the leading site of cancer related deaths in men [1,2] In the United States prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men and globally it is second most frequently diagnosed cancer [1]. Chemotherapeutic intervention in prostate cancer is common in cases of relapse following primary androgen suppression treatment or metastasis beyond the prostate. The present study was designed to examine the cytotoxic effects of aqueous extract of UD leaves on human prostatic carcinoma LNCaP cells and the associated mechanisms. Data from the present study demonstrate that UD aqueous extract produces a potent cytotoxic effect in LNCap cells that is mediated through apoptosis
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