p-Methoxycinnamic acid, an active phenylpropanoid induces mitochondrial mediated apoptosis in HCT-116 human colon adenocarcinoma cell line

Publication date: Available online 26 September 2015 Source:Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology Author(s): Sivagami Gunasekaran, KarthikKumar Venkatachalam, Nalini Namasivayam Among the eight phytochemicals (dihydrocarveol, sinapic acid, vanillic acid, ethylgallate, myrtenol, transcarveol, p-methoxycinnamic acid, isoferulic acid) we tested, p-methoxycinnamic acid (p-MCA)[10μM] showed the most potent in vitro growth inhibition on human colon adenocarcinoma(HCT-116 cells). Antiproliferative activity of p-MCA at 24h was associated with DNA damage, morphological changes and the results were comparable with doxorubicin. p-MCA induced phosphatidylserine translocation, increased the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS), protein carbonyl content(PCC) and decreased enzymic antioxidant status(SOD,CAT, GPx) in HCT-116. p-MCA treatment increased the percentage of apoptotic cells, decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and triggered cytochrome C release to cytosol. The induction of apoptosis by p-MCA was accompanied by an increase in caspase 3 and caspase 9 activities, increased expression of Bax and decreased expression of Bcl-2. Thus p-MCA induces mitochondria mediated intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in HCT-116 and has potential for treatment and prevention of colon cancer.
Source: Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research