Caspases-dependent Apoptosis in Human Melanoma Cell by Eugenol / 대한해부학회지

ABSTRACT

Malignant melanoma is a highly metastatic tumor, resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Recent studies have suggested that many therapeutic agents used against cancer mediate their effects by induction of apoptosis of the cancer cells. Eugenol enhances the generation of tissue-damaging free radicals and inflammation or allergic reactions. In particular, it is more cytotoxic against cancer cells compared with normal fibroblasts. This study was performed to investigate whether the cytotoxic effect of eugenol is associated with the induction of apoptosis and involves activation of caspase in the human melanoma G361 cells. Eugenol-induced apoptosis was confirmed by MTT assay, Hemacolor stain, Hoechst stain, DNA electrophoresis, and Western blot analysis. Eugenol had a significant dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effect on the viability of G361 cells. Eugenol treatment induced caspase-3 and -6 cleavage, and activation. The caspase-3 substrates PARP and DFF45 are cleaved during eugenol-induced apoptosis. It was found that the casapase-6 substrate lamin A was cleaved, whose cleavage has been reported to be necessary for complete condesation of DNA during apoptosis. These results suggest that eugenol may constitute a potential antitumor compound against melanoma occurring in the skin and oral mucosa.