Fucoxanthin induces human MCF-7 breast cancer cells apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum pathway / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The antiproliferative effects and molecular mechanism of fucoxanthin were evaluated in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. METHODS: Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay; cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and [Ca2+]i were measured by FACScan; the protein expression of caspase-4, caspase-7, caspase-9, Bcl-2, Bax, calpain and cytochrome C in the MCF-7 cells was evaluated by Western Blotting. RESULTS: Fucoxanthin exerted potent antiproliferative effects, induced [Ca2+]i overload and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, fucoxanthin-mediated apoptosis was related with the activation of caspase-4, caspase-7, caspase-9, cytochrome C release from mitochondrion, up-regulation of Bax and calpain, and also down-regulation Bcl-2 in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Fucoxanthin can induce MCF-7 cells apoptosis via Ca2+/calpain/caspase-4 pathway.