epidermal-growth-factor and 6-paradol

Many spices, including plants of the ginger family, possess anticarcinogenic activity. However, the molecular mechanisms by which they exert their antitumorigenic effects are unknown. Activator protein 1 (AP-1) has a critical role in tumor promotion, and blocking of tumor promoter-induced activation of AP-1 inhibits neoplastic transformation. Epidermal growth factor induces cell transformation and AP-1 activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of two structurally related compounds of the ginger family, [6]-gingerol and [6]-paradol, on EGF-induced cell transformation and AP-1 activation. Our results provide the first evidence that both block EGF-induced cell transformation but act by different mechanisms.

Topics: Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Catechols; Cell Death; Cell Line; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; DNA; Enzyme Induction; Epidermal Cells; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epidermis; Fatty Alcohols; Guaiacol; Ketones; Mice; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Phosphorylation; Plants, Medicinal; Transcription Factor AP-1