Palmitic Acid and Ergosta-7,22-dien-3-ol Contribute to the Apoptotic Effect and Cell Cycle Arrest of an Extract from Marthasterias glacialis L. in Neuroblastoma Cells

Marine Drugs

David M. Pereira¹  Georgina Correia-da-Silva²  Patrໜia Valentão¹  Natércia Teixeira² 

[1] REQUIMTE/Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, nº 228, Porto 4050-313, Portugal; E-Mails:;Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, nº 228, Porto 4050-313, Portugal; E-Mail:

关键词: Marthasterias glacialis L.;    palmitic acid;    ER-stress;    CHOP;    apoptosis;   

DOI  :  10.3390/md12010054

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

We describe the effect of a chemically characterized lipophilic extract obtained from Marthasterias glacialis L. against human breast cancer (MCF-7) and human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cell lines. Evaluation of DNA synthesis revealed that both cell lines were markedly affected in a concentration-dependent way, the SH-SY5Y cell line being more susceptible. Cell cycle arrest was observed, an effect induced by the sterol, ergosta-7,22-dien-3-ol, present in the extract. Morphological evaluation of treated cells showed the advent of lipid droplets and chromatin condensation compatible with apoptosis, which was confirmed by the evaluation of caspase-3 and -9 activities. Palmitic acid was the main compound responsible for this apoptotic effect by a ceramide-independent mechanism that involved endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress with upregulation of CCAAT/-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP).

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.