Lectin of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) promotes selective antitumor effects in human breast cancer cells.
Biotechnol Lett
; 36(3): 461-9, 2014 Mar.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24129958
ABSTRACT
The anti-tumor effects of a newly-discovered lectin, isolated from okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (AEL), were investigated in human breast cancer (MCF7) and skin fibroblast (CCD-1059 sk) cells. AEL induced significant cell growth inhibition (63 %) in MCF7 cells. The expression of pro-apoptotic caspase-3, caspase-9, and p21 genes was increased in MCF7 cells treated with AEL, compared to those treated with controls. In addition, AEL treatment increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in MCF7 cells. Flow cytometry also indicated that cell death (72 %) predominantly occurred through apoptosis. Thus, AEL in its native form promotes selective antitumor effects in human breast cancer cells and may represent a potential therapeutic to combat human breast cancer.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Apoptosis
/
Abelmoschus
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Epithelial Cells
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Fibroblasts
/
Lectins
/
Antineoplastic Agents
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Biotechnol Lett
Year:
2014
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Publication country:
HOLANDA
/
HOLLAND
/
NETHERLANDS
/
NL
/
PAISES BAJOS
/
THE NETHERLANDS