Etlingera elatior Extract promotes cell death in B16 melanoma cells via down-regulation of ERK and Akt signaling pathways

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Research Article

Aungkana Krajarng¹  Ramida Watanapokasin²  Malin Chulasiri³ 

[1] Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Pathumthani, Thailand;Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand;Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand;

关键词: Etlingera elatior;    B16 melanoma cells;    Nuclear condensation;    ERK;    Akt;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12906-017-1921-y

 received in 2017-02-28, accepted in 2017-08-11,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundTorch ginger (Etlingera elatior, EE) is a ginger plant that found in Southeast Asia. Previous study showed its flowers and leaves composed of several flavonoids with anti-cancer activity. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of EE extract on cell death induction in melanoma cells.MethodsTo carry out this study, the cytotoxic effect of EE extract was performed using MTT assay. Nuclear morphological change and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were observed using Hoechst 33,342 and JC-1 staining. Flow cytometry using Annexin V/PI double staining assessed apoptosis, necrosis and viability. Caspase activity was detected by caspase activity kits. The expression of Bcl-2 family proteins, ERK and Akt signaling pathways were examined by Western blot analysis.ResultsThe treatment of EE extract resulted in a dose- and time-dependent reduction in cell viability in B16 cells. It also induced nuclear condensation, phosphatidylserine exposure, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, which are markers of apoptosis. Furthermore, the expression of Bim was increased instead of Bax and Bcl-2. The results also showed caspase-independent activity and the down-regulation of ERK and Akt signaling pathway.ConclusionThe results suggest that EE extract induced caspase-independent cell death via down-regulation of ERK and Akt pathways in B16 cells. This may be beneficial as a chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agent in melanoma treatment.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017