Scaphechinus mirabilis Extract Effectively Inhibits the Proliferation of BPH-1 and LNCaP Prostate Epithelial Cells

Abstract

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related disease characterized by progressive proliferation of prostate stromal and epithelial cells. While the precise etiology of BPH is still not clear, the proliferation of epithelial cells has been implicated in the development of the disease. Scaphechinus mirabilis (S. mirabilis) is a marine species belonging to the order Clypeasteroida, which contains flat, burrowing sea urchins. Objective: This study examined the effects of S. mirabilis extract on the proliferation of BPH-1 and LNCaP prostate epithelial cells. Methods: BPH-1 and LNCaP cells were cultured and treated with S. mirabilis extract (50, 100, and 200 μg/ml). The viability of cells treated with S. mirabilis extract was determined by the MTT assay. Results: Proliferation of BPH-1 and testosterone-induced LNCaP cells was inhibited by treatment with S. mirabilis extract. S. mirabilis extract suppressed the expression of androgen-related proteins, such as androgen receptor, prostate-specific antigen, and 5α-reductase 2. S. mirabilis extract inhibited testosterone-induced proliferation. Moreover, S. mirabilis extract induced apoptotic responses by regulating the expression of caspase-9, Bcl-2, and Bax. Conclusion: These findings suggest that S. mirabilis extract abrogated the expression of androgen-related proteins by inducing apoptotic responses, which could be valuable for the design of new therapeutic agents for the treatment of BPH.

Irpetones A and B, Anti-Osteoclastic Heptaketides from a Marine Mesophotic Zone Ircinia Sponge-Associated Fungus Irpex sp. NBUF088

“…Biochemical research conducted on marine organisms has resulted in the discovery of a diverse abundance of marine natural products. − Meanwhile, there have been at least 15 marine drugs approved for human medicine, and over 40 candidates are currently in phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials according to the Global Marine Pharmaceuticals Pipeline Web site () . Among the many marine organisms that have been studied, fungi associated with sponges produce plentiful molecules with intriguing structures and remarkable bioactivities.…”