Journal Article

Mitochondria-mediated Caspase-dependent and Caspase-independent apoptosis induced by aqueous extract from Moringa oleifera leaves in human melanoma cells

Do, Bich Hang, Doan, Chinh Chung, Ho, Nguyen Quynh Chi, Nguyen, Thi Phuong Thao, Hoang, Nghia Son, Le, Thanh Long

2020

Overview

Malignant melanoma is a very aggressive and serious type of cutaneous cancer. Previous studies indicated the anti-cancer activity of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves (MOE) against a variety of cell lines. However, there has not been much research about the effect of MOE on melanoma. Therefore, this study was about to investigate the anti-proliferation mediated by apoptosis of MOE on human melanoma cell lines. Furthermore, the related molecular mechanisms of the apoptosis were also examined. An aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves was prepared and the anti-proliferative activity on melanoma cells and normal cells was tested using WST-1 assay. The apoptotic hallmarks including DNA condensation and phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization were assessed. The expression of apoptosis-related genes and the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential were then examined to clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms. MOE inhibited cell growth of A375 cells and A2058 cells in a dose-dependent manner but had little effect on human normal fibroblasts. The cell growth inhibition was induced by apoptosis which was expressed via chromatin condensation and PS externalization. MOE decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, MOE increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, activated Caspase-3/7, Caspase-9, PARP and AIF translocation, leading to apoptotic cell death. Our study indicated that MOE exerted significant anti-cancer effects on melanoma cells in vitro which involved mitochondria-mediated Caspase-dependent and Caspase-independent apoptosis pathways. These results provided a scientific approach for using Moringa oleifera leaves as an alternative therapy to treat skin cancer.

• Publisher: Springer Netherlands,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Animal Anatomy / Animal Biochemistry / antineoplastic activity / Antitumor activity / Apoptosis / Apoptosis - drug effects / Apoptosis-inducing factor / Bcl-2 protein / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Caspase 3 - metabolism / Caspase 9 - metabolism / Caspase-3 / Caspase-9 / Caspases - metabolism / Cell death / Cell growth / Cell Line, Tumor / Cell Proliferation - drug effects / Cell Survival - drug effects / Chromatin / Depolarization / DNA / dose response / fibroblasts / Growth inhibition / growth retardation / Histology / Humans / Life Sciences / Melanoma / Melanoma - drug therapy / Melanoma - metabolism / Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant / Membrane potential / Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial - drug effects / Mitochondria / Mitochondria - metabolism / mitochondrial membrane / molecular biology / Molecular modelling / Moringa oleifera / Moringa oleifera - metabolism / Morphology / Original Article / Oxidative Stress - drug effects / Phosphatidylserine / phosphatidylserines / Plant Extracts - pharmacology / Plant Leaves - metabolism / Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase / Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - metabolism / Skin cancer / skin neoplasms / Skin Neoplasms - drug therapy / Skin Neoplasms - metabolism / therapeutics