Apoptosis-Inducing Activity and Antiproliferative Effect of Gossypin on PC-3 Prostate Cancer Cells

Aim: The rapid growth, morbidity and mortality of prostate cancer, and the lack of effective treatment have attracted great interest of researchers to find novel cancer therapies aiming at the effect of gossypin on cell proliferation and apoptosis of PC-3 cells. Methods: The effect of gossypin on cell viability was determined using MTT assay at 5-100 mu g/ml and cisplatin (50 mu M) in a time-dependent manner in PC-3 cell lines. The expression levels of caspase-3 (CASP3) and caspase-9 (CASP9) for apoptosis and Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NFKB1) for survival, inflammation, and growth were evaluated by real-time PCR. Hoechst staining was used to analyze apoptosis. Results: Gossypin showed an anti-proliferative effect on PC3 cell line in a time-and dose-dependent manner. In addition, gossypin led to a significant increase in apoptosis genes (CASP3, CASP9) when compared to control while it caused a decrease in the level of NFKB1, which is accepted as apoptosis inhibitor (p<0.05) (cisplatin-like). Gossypin 50 and 100 mu M significantly induced apoptotic mechanism in PC-3 cells. However, no apoptotic or commonly stained nuclei have been observed in control group cells. Conclusion: The results indicated that gossypin can be defined as a promising anticancer agent for PC-3 human prostate cancer cell line.