The present study shows that oral gavage of 6 Mmol D,Lsulforaphane (SFN), a synthetic analogue of cruciferous vegetable-derived L isomer, thrice per week beginning at 6 weeks of age, significantly inhibits prostate carcinogenesis and pulmonary metastasis in TRAMP mice without causing any side effects. The incidence of the prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and well-differentiated (WD) carcinoma were f23% to 28% lower (P < 0.05 compared with control by MannWhitney test) in the dorsolateral prostate (DLP) of SFNtreated mice compared with controls, which was not due to the suppression of T-antigen expression. The area occupied by the WD carcinoma was also f44% lower in the DLP of SFNtreated mice relative to that of control mice (P = 0.0011 by Mann Whitney test). Strikingly, the SFN-treated mice exhibited f50% and 63% decrease, respectively, in pulmonary metastasis incidence and multiplicity compared with control mice (P < 0.05 by t test). The DLP from SFN-treated mice showed decreased cellular proliferation and increased apoptosis when compared with that from control mice. Additionally, SFN administration enhanced cytotoxicity of cocultures of natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DC) against TRAMP-C1 target cells, which correlated with infiltration of T cells in the neoplastic lesions and increased levels of interleukin-12 production by the DC. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that SFN administration inhibits prostate cancer progression and pulmonary metastasis in TRAMP mice by reducing cell proliferation and augmenting NK cell lytic activity.

We have shown previously that generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a critical event in G 2 -M phase cell cycle arrest caused by diallyl trisulfide (DATS), which is a highly promising anticancer constituent of processed garlic. Using DU145 and PC-3 human prostate cancer cells as a model, we now report a novel mechanism involving c-Jun NH 2 -terminal kinase (JNK) signaling axis, which is known for its role in regulation of cell survival and apoptosis, in DATS-induced ROS production. The DATS-induced ROS generation, G 2 -M phase cell cycle arrest and degradation, and hyperphosphorylation of Cdc25C were significantly attenuated in the presence of EUK134, a combined mimetic of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Interestingly, the DATS-induced ROS generation and G 2 -M phase cell cycle arrest were also inhibited significantly in the presence of desferrioxamine, an iron chelator, but this protection was not observed with iron-saturated desferrioxamine. DATS treatment caused a marked increase in the level of labile iron that was accompanied by degradation of light chain of iron storage protein ferritin. Interestingly, DATSmediated degradation of ferritin, increase in labile iron pool, ROS generation, and/or cell cycle arrest were significantly attenuated by ectopic expression of a catalytically inactive mutant of JNK kinase 2 and RNA interference of stressactivated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (SEK1), upstream kinases in JNK signal transduction pathway. In conclusion, the present study provides experimental evidence to indicate existence of a novel pathway involving JNK signaling axis in regulation of DATS-induced ROS generation.

The present study was undertaken to gain insights into the molecular mechanism of apoptosis induction by phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), which is a cancer chemopreventive constituent of cruciferous vegetables, using PC-3 human prostate cancer cells as a model. The PEITC-induced cell death in PC-3 cells was associated with disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential, release of apoptogenic molecules (cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO) from mitochondria to the cytosol and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which were blocked in the presence of a combined mimetic of superoxide dismutase and catalase (Euk134). Ectopic expression of Bcl-xL, whose protein level is reduced markedly on treatment of PC-3 cells with PEITC, conferred partial protection against PEITC-induced apoptosis only at higher drug concentrations (>10 microM). Administration of 12 micromol PEITC/day (Monday through Friday) by oral gavage significantly retarded growth of PC-3 xenografts in athymic mice. For instance, 31 days after the initiation of PEITC administration, the average tumor volume in control mice (721 +/- 153 mm3) was approximately 2-fold higher compared with mice receiving 12 micromol PEITC/day. The PEITC-mediated inhibition of PC-3 xenograft growth was associated with induction of Bax and Bid proteins. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the PEITC-induced apoptosis in PC-3 cells is mediated by ROS-dependent disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential and regulated by Bax and Bid.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of honokiol, a constituent of oriental medicinal herb Magnolia officinalis, against human prostate cancer cells in culture and in vivo. Experimental Design: Honokiol-mediated apoptosis was assessed by analysis of cytoplasmic histone-associated DNA fragmentation. Knockdown of Bax and Bak proteins was achieved by transient transfection using siRNA. Honokiol was administered by oral gavage to male nude mice s.c. implanted with PC-3 cells. Tumor sections from control and honokiol-treated mice were examined for apoptotic bodies (terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase^mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay), proliferation index (proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining), and neovascularization (CD31 staining). Levels of Bcl-2 family proteins in cell lysates and tumor supernatants were determined by immunoblotting. Results: Exposure of human prostate cancer cells (PC-3, LNCaP, and C4-2) to honokiol resulted in apoptotic DNA fragmentation in a concentration-and time-dependent manner irrespective of their androgen responsiveness or p53 status. Honokiol-induced apoptosis correlated with induction of Bax, Bak, and Bad and a decrease in Bcl-xL and Mcl-1protein levels.Transient transfection of PC-3 cells with Bak-and Bax-targeted siRNAs and Bcl-xL plasmid conferred partial yet significant protection against honokiol-induced apoptosis. Oral gavage of 2 mg honokiol/mouse (thrice a week) significantly retarded growth of PC-3 xenografts without causing weight loss. Tumors from honokiol-treated mice exhibited markedly higher count of apoptotic bodies and reduced proliferation index and neovascularization compared with control tumors. Conclusion: Our data suggest that honokiol, which is used in traditional oriental medicine for the treatment of various ailments, may be an attractive agent for treatment and/or prevention of human prostate cancers.

Identification of agents that are nontoxic but can delay onset and/or progression of prostate cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States, is highly desirable. We now show that p.o. gavage of garlic constituent diallyl trisulfide (DATS; 1 and 2 mg/day, thrice/week for 13 weeks beginning at age 8 weeks) significantly inhibits progression to poorly differentiated prostate carcinoma and pulmonary metastasis multiplicity in transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice without any side effects. There was a trend of a decrease in average wet weights of the urogenital tract and prostate gland in 1 and 2 mg DATS-treated mice compared with controls (f25-46% decrease in DATS-treated mice compared with controls). The incidence and the area of the dorsolateral prostate occupied by the poorly differentiated carcinoma were significantly lower in both 1 and 2 mg DATS-treated mice compared with control mice. In addition, DATS administration resulted in a statistically significant decrease in pulmonary metastasis multiplicity compared with controls (P = 0.002). The dorsolateral prostate from DATS-treated TRAMP mice exhibited decreased cellular proliferation in association with induction of cyclinB1 and securin protein levels, and suppression of the expression of neuroendocrine marker synaptophysin. However, DATS administration did not have any appreciable effect on apoptosis induction, angiogenesis, or natural killer and dendritic cell function. In conclusion, the results of the present study show, for the first time, that DATS administration prevents progression to invasive carcinoma and lung metastasis in TRAMP mice. [Cancer Res 2008;68(22):9503-11]