Decursin suppresses human androgen-independent PC3 prostate cancer cell proliferation by promoting the degradation of beta-catenin

Mol Pharmacol. 2007 Dec;72(6):1599-606. doi: 10.1124/mol.107.040253. Epub 2007 Sep 12.

Abstract

Alterations in the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway are associated with the development and progression of human prostate cancer. Decursin, a pyranocoumarin isolated from the Korean Angelica gigas root, inhibits the growth of androgen-independent human prostate cancer cells, but little is known about its mechanism of action. Using a cell-based screen, we found that decursin attenuates the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. Decursin antagonized beta-catenin response transcription (CRT), which was induced with Wnt3a-conditioned medium and LiCl, by promoting the degradation of beta-catenin. Furthermore, decursin suppressed the expression of cyclin D1 and c-myc, which are downstream target genes of beta-catenin and thus inhibited the growth of PC3 prostate cancer cells. In contrast, decursinol, in which the (CH3)2-C=CH-COO- side chain of decursin is replaced with -OH, had no effect on CRT, the level of intracellular beta-catenin, or PC3 cell proliferation. Our findings suggest that decursin exerts its anticancer activity in prostate cancer cells via inhibition of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Androgen Antagonists / metabolism
  • Androgen Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Androgens / physiology*
  • Angelica
  • Benzopyrans / chemistry
  • Benzopyrans / pharmacology*
  • Butyrates / chemistry
  • Butyrates / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Roots
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • beta Catenin / antagonists & inhibitors
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Androgen Antagonists
  • Androgens
  • Benzopyrans
  • Butyrates
  • Plant Extracts
  • beta Catenin
  • decursin