Home HOME Neoplasma 2015 Neoplasma Vol.62, No.4, p.582-591, 2015

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Founded: 1954
ISSN 0028-2685
ISSN 1338-4317 (online)

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Neoplasma Vol.62, No.4, p.582-591, 2015

Title: Induction of apoptosis by capsaicin in hepatocellular cancer cell line SMMC-7721 is mediated through ROS generation and activation of JNK and p38 MAPK pathways
Author: H. Q. BU, K. CAI, F. SHEN, X. D. BAO, Y. XU, F. YU, H. Q. PAN, C. H. CHEN, Z. J. Du, J. H. CUI

Abstract: Capsaicin, one of the major pungent ingredients found in red peppers, has been shown to have anti-carcinogenic effect on various cancer cells through multiple mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the apoptotic effect of capsaicin on human hepatocellular cancer cell line SMMC-7721, as well as the possible mechanisms involved. Treatment of SMMC-7721 cells with capsaicin resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell-viability and induction of apoptosis which was associated with the generation of ROS and persistent disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. These effects were significantly blocked when cells were pretreated with a general antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). We also found that capsaicin induced JNK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. JNK and p38 MAPK inhibitor effectively blocked capsaicin-induced SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis. In addition, NAC completely blocked phosphorylation of JNK and p38 MAPK induced by capsaicin. Our results indicate that capsaicin induced in SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis through generation of intracellular ROS and activation of JNK and p38 MAPK pathways.

Keywords: capsaicin, hepatocellular cancer, apoptosis, ROS, JNK and p38
Published online: 18-May-2015
Year: 2015, Volume: 62, Issue: 4 Page From: 582, Page To: 591
doi:10.4149/neo_2015_070


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