Grape proanthocyanidins induce apoptosis by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential of human non-small cell lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents approximately 80% of total lung cancer cases. The use of non-toxic dietary phytochemicals can be considered as a chemotherapeutic strategy for the management of the NSCLC. Here, we report that grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) induce apoptosis of NSCLC cells, A549 and H1299, in vitro which is mediated through increased expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax, decreased expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl2 and Bcl-xl, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and activation of caspases 9, 3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Pre-treatment of A549 and H1299 cells with the caspase-3 inhibitor (z-DEVD-fmk) significantly blocked the GSPs-induced apoptosis of these cells confirmed that GSPs-induced apoptosis is mediated through activation of caspases-3. Treatments of A549 and H1299 cells with GSPs resulted in an increase in G1 arrest. G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle is known to be controlled by cyclin dependent kinases (Cdk), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (Cdki) and cyclins. Our western blot analyses showed that GSPs-induced G1 cell cycle arrest was mediated through the increased expression of Cdki proteins (Cip1/p21 and Kip1/p27), and a simultaneous decrease in the levels of Cdk2, Cdk4, Cdk6 and cyclins. Further, administration of 50, 100 or 200 mg GSPs/kg body weight of mice by oral gavage (5 d/week) markedly inhibited the growth of s.c. A549 and H1299 lung tumor xenografts in athymic nude mice, which was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, increased expression of Bax, reduced expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and activation of caspase-3 in tumor xenograft cells. Based on the data obtained in animal study, human equivalent dose of GSPs was calculated, which seems affordable and attainable. Together, these results suggest that GSPs may represent a potential therapeutic agent for the non-small cell lung cancer.

Proanthocyanidins inhibit photocarcinogenesis through enhancement of DNA repair and xeroderma pigmentosum group A-dependent mechanism.

Dietary grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) inhibit photocarcinogenesis in mice; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect have not been fully elucidated. As ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced DNA damage in the form of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) has been implicated in skin cancer risk, we studied whether dietary GSPs enhance repair of UVB-induced DNA damage and, if so, what is the potential mechanism? Supplementation of GSPs (0.5%, w/w) with AIN76A control diet significantly reduced the levels of CPD(+) cells in UVB-exposed mouse skin; however, GSPs did not significantly reduce UVB-induced CPD(+) cells in the skin of interleukin-12p40 (IL-12) knockout (KO) mice, suggesting that IL-12 is required for the repair of CPDs by GSPs. Using IL-12 KO mice and their wild-type counterparts and standard photocarcinogenesis protocol, we found that supplementation of control diet with GSPs (0.5%, w/w) significantly reduced UVB-induced skin tumor development in wild-type mice, which was associated with the elevated mRNA levels of nucleotide excision repair genes, such as XPA, XPC, DDB2, and RPA1; however, this effect of GSPs was less pronounced in IL-12 KO mice. Cytostaining analysis revealed that GSPs repaired UV-induced CPD(+) cells in xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group A (XPA)-proficient fibroblasts from a healthy individual but did not repair in XPA-deficient fibroblasts from XPA patients. Furthermore, GSPs enhance nuclear translocation of XPA and enhanced its interactions with other DNA repair protein ERCC1. Together, our findings reveal that prevention of photocarcinogenesis by GSPs is mediated through enhanced DNA repair in epidermal cells by IL-12- and XPA-dependent mechanisms.

Honokiol, a phytochemical from the Magnolia plant, inhibits photocarcinogenesis by targeting UVB-induced inflammatory mediators and cell cycle regulators: development of topical formulation.

To develop newer and more effective chemopreventive agents for skin cancer, we assessed the effect of honokiol, a phytochemical from the Magnolia plant, on ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced skin tumorigenesis using the SKH-1 hairless mouse model. Topical treatment of mice with honokiol in a hydrophilic cream-based topical formulation before or after UVB (180 mJ/cm(2)) irradiation resulted in a significant protection against photocarcinogenesis in terms of tumor multiplicity (28-60%, P < 0.05 to <0.001) and tumor volume per tumor-bearing mouse (33-80%, P < 0.05 to 0.001, n = 20). Honokiol also inhibited and delayed the malignant progression of papillomas to carcinomas. To investigate the in vivo molecular targets of honokiol efficacy, tumors and tumor-uninvolved skin samples from the tumor-bearing mice were analyzed for inflammatory mediators, cell cycle regulators and survival signals using immunostaining, western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Treatment with honokiol significantly inhibited UVB-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2, prostaglandin E(2) (P < 0.001), proliferating cell nuclear antigen and proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.001), interleukin (IL)-1ß (P < 0.01) and IL-6 (P < 0.001) in the skin as well as in skin tumors. Western blot analysis revealed that honokiol: (i) inhibited the levels of cyclins D1, D2 and E and associated cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs)2, CDK4 and CDK6, (ii) upregulated Cip/p21 and Kip/p27 and (iii) inhibited the levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the phosphorylation of Akt at Ser(473) in UVB-induced skin tumors. Together, our results indicate that honokiol holds promise for the prevention of UVB-induced skin cancer by targeting inflammatory mediators, cell cycle regulators and cell survival signals in UVB-exposed skin.

Proanthocyanidins inhibit in vitro and in vivo growth of human non-small cell lung cancer cells by inhibiting the prostaglandin E(2) and prostaglandin E(2) receptors.

Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandins (PG) is linked to a wide variety of human cancers. Here, we assessed whether the chemotherapeutic effect of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells is mediated through the inhibition of COX-2 and PGE(2)/PGE(2) receptor expression. The effects of GSPs on human NSCLC cell lines in terms of proliferation, apoptosis, and expression of COX-2, PGE(2), and PGE(2) receptors were determined using Western blotting, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, and reverse transcription-PCR. In vitro treatment of NSCLC cells (A549, H1299, H460, H226, and H157) with GSPs resulted in significant growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis, which were associated with the inhibitory effects of GSPs on the overexpression of COX-2, PGE(2), and PGE(2) receptors (EP1 and EP4) in these cells. Treatment of cells with indomethacin, a pan-COX inhibitor, or transient transfection of cells with COX-2 small interfering RNA, also inhibited cell growth and induced cell death. The effects of a GSP-supplemented AIN76A control diet fed to nude mice bearing tumor xenografts on the expression of COX-2, PGE(2), and PGE(2) receptors in the xenografts were also evaluated. The growth-inhibitory effect of dietary GSPs (0.5%, w/w) on the NSCLC xenograft tumors was associated with the inhibition of COX-2, PGE(2), and PGE(2) receptors (EP1, EP3, and EP4) in tumors. This preclinical study provides evidence that the chemotherapeutic effect of GSPs on lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo is mediated, at least in part, through the inhibition of COX-2 expression and subsequently the inhibition of PGE(2) and PGE(2) receptors.

Dietary grape seed proanthocyanidins inhibit UVB-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression and other inflammatory mediators in UVB-exposed skin and skin tumors of SKH-1 hairless mice.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the chemopreventive mechanism of dietary grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) against ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced skin tumor development in mice. METHODS: Six-to-seven-week-old SKH-1 hairless mice were subjected to photocarcinogenesis protocol, and exposed to UVB radiation (180 mJ/cm(2)) three times/week for 24 weeks. Mice were fed a standard AIN76A control diet with or without supplementation with grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs; 0.2% or 0.5%, w/w). At the termination of the experiment, mice were sacrificed, and skin and skin tumor samples were harvested and subjected to the analysis of biomarkers related to inflammation using immunostaining, western blot analysis, ELISA and real-time PCR. RESULTS: Dietary GSPs inhibited UVB-induced infiltration of proinflammatory leukocytes and the levels of myeloperoxidase, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin (PG) E(2), cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the skin and skin tumors compared to non-GSPs-treated UVB irradiated mouse skin and skin tumors. GSPs also significantly inhibited the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (P < 0.01), IL-1beta (P < 0.001) and IL-6 (P < 0.001), in UVB-exposed skin and skin tumors. CONCLUSION: The results from this study clearly suggest that dietary GSPs inhibit photocarcinogenesis in mice through the inhibition of UVB-induced inflammation and mediators of inflammation in mouse skin.

Leptin deficiency-induced obesity exacerbates ultraviolet B radiation-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression and cell survival signals in ultraviolet B-irradiated mouse skin.

Obesity has been implicated in several inflammatory diseases and in different types of cancer. Chronic inflammation induced by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been implicated in various skin diseases, including melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. As the relationship between obesity and susceptibility to UV radiation-caused inflammation is not clearly understood, we assessed the role of obesity on UVB-induced inflammation, and mediators of this inflammatory response, using the genetically obese (leptin-deficient) mouse model. Leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob) mice and wild-type counterparts (C57/BL6 mice) were exposed to UVB radiation (120 mJ/cm(2)) on alternate days for 1 month. The mice were then euthanized and skin samples collected for analysis of biomarkers of inflammatory responses using immunohistochemistry, western blotting, ELISA and real-time PCR. Here, we report that the levels of inflammatory responses were higher in the UVB-exposed skin of the ob/ob obese mice than those in the UVB-exposed skin of the wild-type non-obese mice. The levels of UVB-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression, prostaglandin-E(2) production, proinflammatory cytokines (i.e., tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cell survival signals (phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and p-Akt-Ser(473)) were higher in the skin of the ob/ob obese mice than the those in skin of their wild-type non-obese counterparts. Compared with the wild-type non-obese mice, the leptin-deficient obese mice also exhibited greater activation of NF-kappaB/p65 and fewer apoptotic cells in the UVB-irradiated skin. Our study suggests for the first time that obesity in mice is associated with greater susceptibility to UVB-induced inflammatory responses and, therefore, obesity may increase susceptibility to UVB-induced inflammation-associated skin diseases, including the risk of skin cancer.

IL-12 deficiency suppresses 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced skin tumor development in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-initiated mouse skin through inhibition of inflammation.

Interleukin (IL)-12 deficiency exacerbates tumorigenesis in ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced skin. Here, we assessed the effects of IL-12 deficiency on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced tumor promotion in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-initiated mouse skin. Using this two-stage chemical carcinogenesis protocol, we found that the development of DMBA/TPA-induced skin tumors was diminished in IL-12p40-knockout mice than in their wild-type counterparts. At the termination of the experiment (at 24 weeks), the skin tumor incidence and tumor multiplicity were significantly lower (P < 0.005) in interleukin-12-knockout (IL-12 KO) mice than in their wild-type counterparts, as was the malignant transformation of DMBA/TPA-induced papillomas to carcinomas (P < 0.01). Analysis of samples collected at the termination of the experiments for biomarkers of inflammation by immunohistochemical analysis, western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed significantly lower levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin (PG) E(2), proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cyclin D1 and the proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6) in the DMBA/TPA-treated tumors and tumor-uninvolved skin of IL-12 KO mice than the skin and tumors of DMBA/TPA-treated wild-type mice. Analysis of the skin 6 h after TPA treatment showed that the TPA-induced promotion of skin edema, inflammatory leukocyte infiltration, COX-2 expression and PGE(2) production was significantly lower in the skin of the IL-12-KO mice than their wild-type counterparts. These results indicate that DMBA/TPA-induced skin tumor development differs from UVB-induced skin tumor development in that endogenous IL-12 acts to inhibit UVB-induced skin tumor development and malignant progression of the skin tumors to carcinoma. In the case of DMBA/TPA-induced skin tumor development, the endogenous IL-12 modulates the tumor promoter stimulation of inflammatory responses.

Dietary grape seed proanthocyanidins inhibit UVB-induced oxidative stress and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-kappaB signaling in in vivo SKH-1 hairless mice.

We have shown previously that dietary grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) inhibit UVB-induced photocarcinogenesis in mice. As UVB-induced oxidative stress and oxidative stress-mediated signaling has been implicated in photocarcinogenesis, this study was designed to investigate the effect of dietary GSPs on UVB-induced oxidative stress in in vivo SKH-1 hairless mice. Here, we report that provision of dietary GSPs (0.2 and 0.5%, w/w) to mice exposed to either acute UVB irradiation (120 mJ/cm(2)) or chronic irradiation of UVB inhibited depletion of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione, and inhibited UVB-induced H(2)O(2), lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and nitric oxide in mouse skin. As UV-induced oxidative stress mediates activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling pathways, we determined the effect of dietary GSPs on these pathways. We observed that dietary GSPs inhibited UVB-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun-NH(2)-kinase, and p38 proteins of MAPK family, which seems to be mediated through reactivation of MAPK phosphatases. GSPs inhibited UVB-induced activation of NF-kappaB/p65 through inhibition of degradation of IkappaBalpha and activation of IkappaB kinase alpha (IKKalpha). As NF-kappaB-targeted genes play critical roles in inflammation and cellular proliferation, we assessed the effect of GSPs on proteins encoded by these genes. Dietary GSPs resulted in inhibition of the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cyclin D1, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 in the skin. Collectively, our data show that GSPs have the ability to protect the skin from the adverse effects of UVB radiation via modulation of the MAPK and NF-kappaB signaling pathways and provide a molecular basis for the photoprotective effects of GSPs in an in vivo animal model.

Berberine inhibits growth, induces G1 arrest and apoptosis in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells by regulating Cdki-Cdk-cyclin cascade, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and cleavage of caspase 3 and PARP.

Chemotherapeutic approach using non-toxic botanicals may be one of the strategies for the management of the skin cancers. Here we report that in vitro treatment of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells with berberine, a naturally occurring isoquinoline alkaloid, decreased cell viability (3-77%, P < 0.05-0.001) and induced cell death (3-51%, P < 0.01-0.001) in a dose (5-75 microM)- and time (12-72 h)-dependent manner, which was associated with an increase in G(1) arrest. G(0)/G(1) phase of the cell cycle is known to be controlled by cyclin dependent kinases (Cdk), cyclin kinase inhibitors (Cdki) and cyclins. Our western blot analysis showed that berberine-induced G(1) cell cycle arrest was mediated through the increased expression of Cdki proteins (Cip1/p21 and Kip1/p27), a simultaneous decrease in Cdk2, Cdk4, Cdk6 and cyclins D1, D2 and E and enhanced binding of Cdki-Cdk. In additional studies, treatment of A431 cells with berberine (15-75 microM) for 72 h resulted in a significant dose-dependent increase in apoptosis (31-60%, P < 0.05-0.001) than non-berberine-treated control (11.7%), which was associated with an increased expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax, decreased expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and activation of caspases 9, 3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Pretreatment of A431 cells with the pan-caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk) significantly blocked the berberine-induced apoptosis in A431 cells confirmed that berberine-induced apoptosis is mediated through activation of caspase 3-dependent pathway. Together, this study for the first time identified berberine as a chemotherapeutic agent against human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells in vitro, further in vivo studies are required to determine whether berberine could be an effective chemotherapeutic agent for the management of non-melanoma skin cancers.

Berberine, a natural product, induces G1-phase cell cycle arrest and caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in human prostate carcinoma cells.

Berberine, a naturally occurring isoquinoline alkaloid, has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties in some in vitro systems. Here, we report that in vitro treatment of androgen-insensitive (DU145 and PC-3) and androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) prostate cancer cells with berberine inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell death in a dose-dependent (10-100 micromol/L) and time-dependent (24-72 hours) manner. Treatment of nonneoplastic human prostate epithelial cells (PWR-1E) with berberine under identical conditions did not significantly affect their viability. The berberine-induced inhibition of proliferation of DU145, PC-3, and LNCaP cells was associated with G1-phase arrest, which in DU145 cells was associated with inhibition of expression of cyclins D1, D2, and E and cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) 2, Cdk4, and Cdk6 proteins, increased expression of the Cdk inhibitory proteins (Cip1/p21 and Kip1/p27), and enhanced binding of Cdk inhibitors to Cdk. Berberine also significantly (P < 0.05-0.001) enhanced apoptosis of DU145 and LNCaP cells with induction of a higher ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 proteins, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and activation of caspase-9, caspase-3, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Pretreatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk partially, but significantly, blocked the berberine-induced apoptosis, as also confirmed by the comet assay analysis of DNA fragmentation, suggesting that berberine-induced apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells is mediated primarily through the caspase-dependent pathway. The effectiveness of berberine in checking the growth of androgen-insensitive, as well as androgen-sensitive, prostate cancer cells without affecting the growth of normal prostate epithelial cells indicates that it may be a promising candidate for prostate cancer therapy.

Dietary grape-seed proanthocyanidin inhibition of ultraviolet B-induced immune suppression is associated with induction of IL-12.

We have shown previously that dietary grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) inhibit UVB-induced photocarcinogenesis in mice. As UVB-induced immune suppression has been implicated in the development of skin cancer risk, we investigated whether dietary GSPs can modulate the effects of UVB on the immune system. We found that the UVB-induced (180 mJ/cm2) ear swelling response (inflammatory reaction) was significantly lower in mice fed with a GSP-supplemented (0.5 and 1.0%, w/w) diet than mice fed with the standard AIN76A diet. Dietary GSPs markedly inhibited UVB-induced (180 mJ/cm2) suppression of contact hypersensitivity responses in a local model of immunosuppression but had only moderate inhibitory effect in a systemic model of immunosuppression. Dietary GSPs reduced the UVB-induced increase in immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 in skin and draining lymph nodes compared with mice that did not receive GSPs. In contrast, GSPs enhanced the production of immunostimulatory cytokine IL-12 in the draining lymph nodes. Intraperitoneal injection of GSPs-fed mice with a neutralizing anti-IL-12 antibody abrogated the protective effects of the GSPs against UVB-induced suppression of the contact hypersensitivity response. These data indicate for the first time that GSPs modulate UVB-induced immunosuppression and suggest that this may be one of the possible mechanisms by which they prevent photocarcinogenesis in mice.

Studies on structure activity relationship of some dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin antioxidants based on their interaction with Fe(III) and ADP.

Three dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (DHMC) derivatives, namely 7,8-DHMC, 6,7-DHMC and 5,7-DHMC alone and complexed with Fe(III) and ADP have been tested for their antioxidative potential. Chemical speciation studies and formation constants reveal the formation of strong DHMC-Fe-ADP (1:1:1) ternary complex. In vitro studies were done for their antioxidative property by scavenging the superoxide radicals (O2*-) generated by xanthine + xanthine oxidase (XO) reaction. The IC50 values for 7,8-DHMC, 6,7-DHMC and 5,7-DHMC and their ternary complexes with Fe(III)-ADP worked out to be 34.0 microM, 62.0 microM, 8.80 mM and 10.5, 11.5 and 148.5 microM, respectively. The results indicate that O2*- scavenging potential of all the three DHMCs increased significantly after forming the ternary complex with Fe(III) and ADP. The structure activity relationship studies suggest that the introduction of hydroxyl group at 7th and 8th positions in the coumarins, irrespective of Fe(III)-ADP complexation, increases the antioxidative efficacy. No change in uric acid production in the reactions done for all studies further reveals that the coumarin derivatives and their complexes were the only causative factors for O2*- scavenging and not the suppression of the enzyme, xanthine oxidase.