Apoptosis induction in human hepatoma by trans- Anethole via activation of apoptotic pathways
Apoptosis induction in human hepatoma by trans- Anethole via activation of apoptotic pathways
Samaneh feli,1,*
1. Msc of Molecular Genetic Department of Genetics, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran.
Introduction: Liver cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer and it is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with an estimated 746,000 deaths in 2012. The incidence of liver cancer and mortality shows a stable increase worldwide. An estimated incidence of primary liver cancer ranges from 600,000 to 800,000 annually, accounting for 5.6% of all human cancers and projected cases of about a million by 2030 . Liver cancer consists of a heterogeneous group of malignant tumors with varied histological characteristics and unfavourable prognoses. The major hepatocellular neoplasms include hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), hepatoblastoma, hepatocellular adenoma, and the pediatric neoplasm. HCC is the most common and iCCA is the second most common primary liver cancer.There are many naturally occurring compounds of plant origin which are known to exert protective effects against the genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of the environment. Dietary intake of such chemopreventive compounds has been suggested as an effective strategy for minimizing the deleterious effects of genotoxins and carcinogens. Trans-anethole is a constituent of the volatile component of more than 20 spices. It is the major volatile component in sweet and bitter fennel and anise. Trans-anethole is used as a flavouring substance in baked goods, candy, ice cream, chewing gum and alcoholic beverages. Enzyme induction studies in mice and/or rats suggest that trans-anethole and eugenol are effective inducers of detoxifying enzymes (Phase II enzymes)
Methods: This review study has been written from scientific databases such as Science Direct, Springer, Google Scholar, and PubMed.
Results: Trans-anethole is a valuable compound derived from star anise widely used by ethnic tribals to manage numerous human diseases. In this study, antiproliferative activities of trans-Anethole towards human liver cancer (HepG2), cervical cancer (HeLa) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells were explored. Trans-anethole showed free radical scavenging potential as assessed by DNA nicking assay. Trans-anethole exhibited strong antiproliferative potential towards HepG2 cells compared to other cell lines. trans-Anethole strongly induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells by significantly upregulating the protein expressions of p53, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 were assessed by western blotting analysis which highlighted the apoptosis-inducing capacity of trans-Anethole against HepG2 cells. Rt-qPCR analysis revealed that trans- Anethole upregulated p53, caspase 3 and 9 in comparison to untreated HepG2 cancer cells. Moreover, trans-Anethole provoked the generation of ROS and disruption of MMP.
Conclusion: Our research suggests that trans-Anethole may have a significant anticancer therapeutic potential for treating liver cancer. The results revealed that trans- Anethole significantly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells and induced apoptosis via ROS generation and disruption of MMP. Further, it induced the apoptotic process by modulating the caspase 3, caspase 9 and p53 levels.