Abstract
Human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep G2 cells and Hep G2-bearing mice were used as in vitro and in vivo models to assess the efficacy and safety of MAP30, a natural component from Momordica charantia, as an anticancer agent against liver cancer. Molecular studies disclosed the contribution of both caspase-8 regulated extrinsic and caspase-9 regulated intrinsic caspase cascades in MAP30-induced cell apoptosis. The antitumor potential was also effective in Hep G2-bearing nude mice. Since bitter gourd is a staple in many Asian countries, MAP30 would serve as a novel and relatively safe agent for prophylaxis and treatment of liver cancer.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
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Apoptosis / drug effects
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
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Caspase 8 / metabolism
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Caspase 9 / metabolism
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Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
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Cell Movement / drug effects
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Cell Proliferation / drug effects
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Hep G2 Cells / drug effects
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Humans
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Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
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Mice
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Mice, Nude
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
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Momordica charantia / chemistry
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Necrosis
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Phosphorylation / drug effects
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
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Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 2 / pharmacology*
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Seeds / chemistry
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Signal Transduction / drug effects
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Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
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MAP30 protein, Momordica charantia
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Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 2
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
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Caspase 8
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Caspase 9