Carvacrol induces mitochondria ‐mediated apoptosis via disruption of calcium homeostasis in human choriocarcinoma cells

In this study, we demonstrated that carvacrol exertes antiproliferative effects through suppression of phosphoinositide 3 ‐kinase–protein kinase B and mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling, generating oxidative stress and altering calcium homeostasis mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction in human choriocarcinoma JAR and JEG3 cells. Therefore, carvacrol has a possibility as a novel therapeutic agent or supple ment for the treatment of choriocarcinoma patients. Carvacrol is a monoterpenoid phenol present in the oils of various plants includingOriganum vulgare (oregano) orOriganum majorana (marjoram). For a long time, it has been used as spice in foods because of its antimicrobial properties. Additionally, it appears to have anticancer effects against some cancer but this has not been well studied. Therefore, we conducted various assays to confirm the effects of carvacrol on choriocarcinoma cell lines (JAR and JEG3). Our results indicate that carvacrol has antiproliferative properties and induces apoptosis, resulting in increased expression of proapoptotic proteins. Additionally, carvacrol disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential and induced calcium ion overload in the mitochondrial matrix in both JAR and JEG3 cells. Furthermore, carvacrol generated oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in both JAR and JEG3 cells. Moreover, carvacrol ‐suppressed phosphoinositide 3‐kinase–protein kinase B and extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 mitogen‐activated...

Source: Journal of Cellular Physiology - November 20, 2018 Category: Cytology Authors: Whasun Lim, Jiyeon Ham, Fuller W. Bazer, Gwonhwa Song Tags: ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research