Abstract
Clinical research has shown that Pumpkin seed (PS) is effective in treating various conditions including benign prostatic hyperplasia, inflammatory prostatitis, and prostatic secretion. However, there is insufficient scientific data available regarding the cytotoxic effects of PS on prostate cancer cells. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of both aqueous and alcohol extracts of PS on the LNCaP prostate cancer cell line and elucidate the possible mechanisms involved in mediating these effects. During the study, LNCaP cells were treated separately with aqueous and ethanolic extracts of PS (50-200 μg/ml concentrations). After 24 hours of treatment, cell viability was evaluated using the trypan blue dye exclusion method. Both extracts produced significant cytotoxic effects on LNCaP cells causing reductions in the viability. Subsequently, ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA fragmentation were measured in these cells. PARP (Poly-ADP-Ribose Polymerase) cleavage was examined to assess its role in PS induced apoptotic events in the LNCaP cells. As anticipated, both extracts triggered the apoptotic cascade by increasing the levels of ROS, reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential, and causing DNA fragmentation. The results suggest that the cytotoxic effects of PS extracts on LNCaP cells could be mediated via activation of the intrinsic pathway that ends with DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. The PARP cleavage results with extracts indicate that aqueous extract may be stronger in causing apoptosis cleavage than the alcohol extract. [This research project was supported by the Royal Dames of Cancer Research, Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, FL]
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Appu Rathinavelu, Dr. Mark Jaffe
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-12-2013 1:00 PM
End Date
4-12-2013 5:30 PM
Anticancer Effects of Pumpkin Seed Extracts on LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cell Line
Alvin Sherman Library
Clinical research has shown that Pumpkin seed (PS) is effective in treating various conditions including benign prostatic hyperplasia, inflammatory prostatitis, and prostatic secretion. However, there is insufficient scientific data available regarding the cytotoxic effects of PS on prostate cancer cells. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of both aqueous and alcohol extracts of PS on the LNCaP prostate cancer cell line and elucidate the possible mechanisms involved in mediating these effects. During the study, LNCaP cells were treated separately with aqueous and ethanolic extracts of PS (50-200 μg/ml concentrations). After 24 hours of treatment, cell viability was evaluated using the trypan blue dye exclusion method. Both extracts produced significant cytotoxic effects on LNCaP cells causing reductions in the viability. Subsequently, ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA fragmentation were measured in these cells. PARP (Poly-ADP-Ribose Polymerase) cleavage was examined to assess its role in PS induced apoptotic events in the LNCaP cells. As anticipated, both extracts triggered the apoptotic cascade by increasing the levels of ROS, reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential, and causing DNA fragmentation. The results suggest that the cytotoxic effects of PS extracts on LNCaP cells could be mediated via activation of the intrinsic pathway that ends with DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. The PARP cleavage results with extracts indicate that aqueous extract may be stronger in causing apoptosis cleavage than the alcohol extract. [This research project was supported by the Royal Dames of Cancer Research, Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, FL]
