Inhibitory Effect of Lycopene Against the Growth of Human Gastric Cancer Cells

Abstract

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-proliferative effect of Lycopene on HGC-27 cells.Materials and methods HGC-27 cells were treated with varying concentration lycopene for 24, 48, 72 h. The cell growth inhibition was analyzed by MTT. Western blotting was used to indicate changes in the levels of LC3-I, LC3-II, ERK (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase) and phosphorylation-ERK (p-ERK).Results Lycopene displayed antiproliferative activity in HGC-27 cell lines. Western blotting showed that Lycopene significantly enhanced LC3-I, p-ERK proteins expression. In gastric cancer nude mice model, lycopene treatment significantly decreased tumour weight. These findings indicated that lycopene treatment induces the anti-proliferation of HGC-27 cells. Conclusion Lycopene treatment inhibited HGC-27 cells growth by activating ERK.Key words: gastric cancer, HGC-27, Apoptosis, p-ERK IntroductionLycopene is the most abundant carotenoid found in ripe tomatoes and tomato based products and is responsible for their bright red color (Hobson & Davies, 1971). Several health benefits have been correlated with the dietary intake of tomatoes (Giovannucci, 1999;Rao, S. Agarwal, 1999;Bramley, 2000). Lycopene in tomatoes may contribute to prevent against cardiovascular diseases (Willcox et al, 2003) and different types of cancer due to its strong antioxidant activity (Di Mascio et al, 1989;Conn et al, 1991).Gastric cancer is the second most common malignancy worldwide. The etiology of gastric cancer is multifactorial and predominantly dietary. High intake of smoked and salted foods is a major risk factor associated with the etiology of gastric cancer (Xu et al, 2013, Bi et al, 2016Ren et al, 2016, Bartsch et al, 1992. In addition, exposure to preformed N-nitroso compounds in the diet is a crucial contributory factor in the development of gastric cancer (Zhao et al, 2016). Therefore, development of an effective therapeutic method without side effects is an urgent need. There is increased evidence for an association between high consumption of fruits and vegetables and reduced risk of gastric cancer, suggesting that diet-derived agents offer protection against gastric cancer (Fahmy et al, 2015).The present study is a primary effort taken to analyze the shielding potential of lycopene against HGC-27 cell line and gastric carcinogenesis. For this reason, the in vitro and in vivo effects of lycopene were studied. Materials and methods Cell linesHuman gastric tumour cells HGC-27 was used. Cell morphology analysisHGC-27 cells were grown on 35-mm dishes and treated with lycopene at a series of concentrations for 72 h. The MTT assayCell viability was evaluated using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl-2-(4-sulfo-phenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) (Sigma-Aldrich, France) assay (Li et al, 2015). After 2 h of adhesion of HGC-27 according to the experimental protocol, the different doses of lycopene were plated in a total volume of 200 µL in 96-well plates (Becton Dickinson, France). The wells c...

Fruit phytochemical composition and color parameters of 21 accessions of five Rosa species grown in North West Iran

“…Therefore they can act as inactivators of radical molecules or as chain‐breaking factors . Studies have shown that lycopene displays antioxidant activities, represses cell multiplication and inhibits the growth of cancer cells . Various factors may account for the quantitative variation of pigments in different Rosa fruits; exposure to sunlight is one of the most important factors in increasing the synthesis of carotenoids .…”

“…64 Studies have shown that lycopene displays antioxidant activities, represses cell multiplication and inhibits the growth of cancer cells. 65 Various factors may account for the quantitative variation of pigments in different Rosa fruits; exposure to sunlight is one of the most important factors in increasing the synthesis of carotenoids. 66 Andersson et al 51 noted that high temperature and irradiation have negative effects on the accumulation and biosynthesis of carotenoids.…”

Lycopene as a Natural Antioxidant Used to Prevent Human Health Disorders

“…Additionally, it does not result in noticeable damage to the cell membrane, necrosis and regular apoptosis [46,47]. Treatment of HGC-27 cells with lycopene exhibited significant improvement in LC3-I, p-ERK proteins expressions [48].…”

“…Reduced nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) expression, serum level of oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) Improved nuclear factor erythroid 2 expressions Reduced the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) Induced the protein inhibitor of activated STAT3 expression [44,45] Induced cell cycle arrest and modified the potential of mitochondrial membrane, DNA fragmentation [46,47] Treatment of HGC-27 cells with lycopene exhibited significant improvement in LC3-I, Phosphorylated Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (p-ERK) proteins expressions [48] Reduced NADPH oxidase (NOX) 4 activity Lowered invasion, migration, and adhesion, NOX activity, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, MMP-2 activities and NOX4 protein expression [49] Reduced…”

New Insights into Molecular Mechanism behind Anti-Cancer Activities of Lycopene

“…In human colon cancer cells (HT-29 cells), treatment with lycopene reduced cancerous cell invasion, expression of MMP-7, GSK-3β, ERK 1/2, AP-1, β-catenin, phosphorylation of Akt while increasing E-cadherin stabilization [21]. Lycopene was found to enhance the autophagy ability of gastric cancer cell line (HGC-27 cell lines) as observed by increment in the expression of LC3-1 accompanied by phosphorylation of ERK while decreasing tumor weight in Balb/c nude mice models carrying HGC-27 cells which were being fed with 20, 30 and 60 mg/kg lycopene per day [63].…”