Palmitic Acid and Ergosta-7,22-dien-3-ol Contribute to the Apoptotic Effect and Cell Cycle Arrest of an Extract from Marthasterias glacialis L. in Neuroblastoma Cells |
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| Authors: | David M. Pereira Georgina Correia-da-Silva Patrícia Valent?o Natércia Teixeira Paula B. Andrade |
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| Affiliation: | 1.REQUIMTE/Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, nº 228, Porto 4050-313, Portugal; E-Mails: (D.M.P.); (P.V.);2.Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, nº 228, Porto 4050-313, Portugal; E-Mail: ;3.IBMC—Instituto for Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Porto 4150-180, Portugal |
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| Abstract: | We describe the effect of a chemically characterized lipophilic extract obtained from Marthasterias glacialis L. against human breast cancer (MCF-7) and human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cell lines. Evaluation of DNA synthesis revealed that both cell lines were markedly affected in a concentration-dependent way, the SH-SY5Y cell line being more susceptible. Cell cycle arrest was observed, an effect induced by the sterol, ergosta-7,22-dien-3-ol, present in the extract. Morphological evaluation of treated cells showed the advent of lipid droplets and chromatin condensation compatible with apoptosis, which was confirmed by the evaluation of caspase-3 and -9 activities. Palmitic acid was the main compound responsible for this apoptotic effect by a ceramide-independent mechanism that involved endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress with upregulation of CCAAT/-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP). |
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| Keywords: | Marthasterias glacialis L. palmitic acid ER-stress CHOP apoptosis |
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