Chalcones and dihydrochalcones augment TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in prostate cancer cells

Molecules. 2010 Aug 4;15(8):5336-53. doi: 10.3390/molecules15085336.

Abstract

Chalcones and dihydrochalcones exhibit chemopreventive and antitumor activity. TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) is a natural endogenous anticancer agent. We examined the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of chalcones and dihydrochalcones on TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by the MTT and LDH assays. The apoptosis was detected using annexin V-FITC by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The DeltaPsim was evaluated using DePsipher staining by fluorescence microscopy. Our study showed that two tested chalcones (chalcone and 2',6'dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone) and three dihydrochalcones (2',6'-dihydroxy-4'4-dimethoxydihydrochalcone, 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydro- chalcone, and 2',4',6'-trihydroxydihydrochalcone, called phloretin) markedly augmented TRAIL-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity in LNCaP cells and confirmed the significant role of chalcones in chemoprevention of prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chalcones / chemistry
  • Chalcones / pharmacology*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Chalcones
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • dihydrochalcone