3-methylquercetin and Esophageal-Neoplasms

The flavonol aglycone isorhamnetin shows anti-proliferative activity in a variety of cancer cells. Previous work, from our laboratory showed that isorhamnetin inhibits the proliferation of human esophageal squamous carcinoma Eca-109 cells in vitro, but only after 72 h of exposure. This led us to propose that isorhamnetin exposure induces a cellular stress response that inhibits the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of the compound during early exposure. To test this hypothesis, the present study examined the effects of isorhamnetin on Eca-109 cells during the first 72 h of exposure. Cell growth was assessed using the trypan blue exclusion assay, and expression of IκBα, NF-κB/p65, NF-κB/p50, phospho-Akt, Bcl-2, COX-2, Mcl-1, Bax, p53 and Id-1 were analyzed by Western blot. During the first 72 h of exposure, NF-κB/p65 and NF-κB/p50 accumulated in nuclei and expression of COX-2, Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 increased. In contrast, expression of IκBα and Bax fell initially but later increased. Expression of phospho-Akt and p53 showed no detectable change during the first 48 h. Pretreatment with the NF-κB inhibitor MG132 before exposure to isorhamnetin blocked the nuclear accumulation of p50 and p65, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation. These results show that during early exposure of Eca-109 cells to isorhamnetin, the NF-κB signaling pathway is activated and COX-2 expression increases, and this increase in expression partially inhibits isorhamnetin-induced apoptosis. Beyond 72 h of exposure, however, the apoptotic effect of isorhamnetin dominates, leading to inhibition of the NF-κB pathway and of cellular proliferation. These results will need to be taken into account when exploring the use of isorhamnetin against cancer in vivo.

Topics: Apoptosis; Blotting, Western; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Nucleus; Cell Proliferation; Cyclooxygenase 2; Esophageal Neoplasms; Gene Expression; Humans; NF-kappa B; Phosphorylation; Quercetin; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Isorhamnetin is one member of flavonoid components which has been used in the treatment of heart disease. Recently the in vitro anti-cancer effect of isorhamnetin on human esophageal squamous carcinoma cell line Eca-109 was investigated in our lab. When Eca-109 cells were in vitro exposed to the graded doses of isorhamnetin (0-80 microg/ml) for 48 h, respectively, isorhamnetin exhibited cytostatic effect on the treated cells, with an IC(50) of 40+/-0.08 microg/ml as estimated by MTT assay. Inhibition on proliferation by isorhamnetin was detected by trypan blue exclusion assay, clone formation test, immunocytochemical assay of PCNA and (3)H-thymidine uptake analysis. Cell cycle distribution was measured by FCM. It was found that the viability of Eca-109 cells was significantly hampered by isorhamnetin. Compared with the negative control group, the treated group which was exposed to isorhamnetin had increased population in G(0)/G(1) phase from 74.6 to 84 while had a significant reduction in G(2)/M phase from 11.9 to 5.8. In addition to its cytostatic effect, isorhamnetin also showed stimulatory effect on apoptosis. Typical apoptotic morphology such as condensation and fragmentation of nuclei and blebbing membrane of the apoptotic cells could be observed through transmission electron microscope. Moreover, the sharp increase in apoptosis rate between the control and treated group were detected by FCM from 6.3 to 16.3. To explore the possible molecular mechanisms that underlie the growth inhibition and apoptosis stimulatory effects of isorhamnetin, the expressions of six proliferation- and death-related genes were detected by FCM. Expressions of bcl-2, c-myc and H-ras were downregulated whereas Bax, c-fos and p53 were upregulated. However, the in vivo experiments were required to further confirm the anti-cancer effects of isorhamnetin. In conclusion, isorhamnetin appears to be a potent drug against esophageal cancer due to its in vitro potential to not only inhibit proliferation but also induce apoptosis of Eca-109 cells.

Topics: Apoptosis; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Cycle; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; DNA Replication; Esophageal Neoplasms; Flavonols; Gene Expression; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; Quercetin

This study was focused on the circadian rhythms of DNA synthesis and the expression of c-myc gene in untreated and treated Eca-109 cells in human oesophageal cancer with isorhmnetin. The circadian rhythms of 3H-TdR incorporation and expression of c-myc gene in untreated and treated Eca-109 cells were measured by 3H-thymidine uptake assay and flow cytometry. The data collected were analyzed by ANOVA and Cosinor method. DNA synthesis and expression of c-myc gene in untreated group varied according to circadian time with statistical significance, the distribution curves of both DNA synthesis and the expression level of c-myc were fit for cosinor changes. The circadian rhythms of DNA synthesis and circadian parameters of c-myc expression in treated Eca-109 cells changed. The circadian parameters of DNA synthesis and expression level of c-myc varied after treatment by isorhmnetin. The effects of isorhmnetin on cell proliferation and c-myc expression reached the highest level from 20: 00 to 0: 00. The results provide a guidance for instituting the chemotherapy and chronotherapy of human tumors, when isorhmnetin is for use as anti-cancer agent.

Topics: Circadian Rhythm; DNA; Esophageal Neoplasms; Flavonols; Humans; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; Quercetin; Tumor Cells, Cultured