ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To investigate the inhibitory role of pterostilbene in pancreatic cancer, we conducted a genomic analysis of pterostilbene-treated pancreatic cancer cells. We also investigated the effect of pterostilbene upon the carcinogenic markers, manganese superoxide dismutase, cytochrome C, Smac/DIABLO, and STAT3 phosphorylation in vitro. The antiproliferative effects of pterostilbene were further evaluated in an in vivo model. METHODS: Pancreatic cancer cells were treated with pterostilbene and evaluated with DNA microarray analysis. Pterostilbene-treated cells were analyzed for cytochrome C, Smac/DIABLO, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD)/antioxidant activity, and STAT3 phosphorylation using ELISA. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. Pterostilbene was then administered to nude mice for 8 weeks, and tumor growth rates were recorded and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Microarray analysis of pterostilbene-treated cells revealed upregulation of pro-apoptosis genes. In vitro, pterostilbene treatment altered levels of phosphorylated STAT3, MnSOD/antioxidant activity, cytochrome C, and Smac/DIABLO. In nude mice, oral pterostilbene inhibited tumor growth rates. CONCLUSION: Pterostilbene alters gene expression in pancreatic cancer and increases the antiproliferative markers cytochrome C, Smac/DIABLO, and MnSOD/antioxidant activity. It was also shown to inhibit phosphorylated STAT3, a marker of accelerated tumorigenesis, and decrease pancreatic tumor growth in vivo. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the effects of pterostilbene in humans.
