Chalcones Enhance TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells

• Main Authors: Ewelina Szliszka, Zenon P. Czuba, Bogdan Mazur, Lukasz Sedek, Andrzej Paradysz, Wojciech Krol
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2009-12-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: chalcones; TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand); apoptosis; chemoprevention; prostate cancer
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/11/1/1/

Chalcones exhibit chemopreventive and antitumor effects. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a naturally occurring anticancer agent that induces apoptosis in cancer cells and is not toxic to normal cells. We examined the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of five chalcones in combination with TRAIL on prostate cancer cells. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by the MTT and LDH assays. The apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC. Our study showed that all five tested chalcones: chalcone, licochalcone-A, isobavachalcone, xanthohumol, butein markedly augmented TRAIL-mediated apoptosis and cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells and confirmed the significant role of chalcones in chemoprevention of prostate cancer.