Cytotoxic effects of escin on human castration-resistant prostate cancer cells through the induction of apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of escin on human castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells, PC-3 and DU-145.

Materials and methods: The inhibition of cell proliferation and its mechanism were assessed through a cytotoxicity assay, flow cytometry, and Western blot. The in vivo efficacy of escin in CRPC cells was assessed using a xenograft tumor model subcutaneously established in BALB/c nude mice.

Results: The treatment with escin significantly reduced cell viability of CRPC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Escin induced apoptosis in a time-dependent manner, which was accompanied by increases in pro-apoptotic (BCL-2 associated X protein, cleaved-caspase3, and cleaved-poly [adenosine diphosphate-ribose] polymerase) proteins and decreases in antiapoptotic (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-2B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2, and B-cell lymphoma-extra large) proteins. Escin induced G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest and thus led to a significant decrease in the expression of cyclinB1 and its activating partner cyclin-dependent kinase 1, with the concomitant induction of p21. In addition, escin significantly inhibited the growth of CRPC cells in xenograft models.

Conclusion: The results show that escin induced cytotoxic effects on CRPC cells through the induction of apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest, indicating it may be a novel therapeutic agent for CRPC.