Abstract

Sinomenine (SN) is an alkaloid that has previously been shown to have a role in such varied processes as inflammation, angiogenesis, arthritis and immunosuppression. Therefore, in this study, possible anti-tumor effects of SN on the human prostate cancer cell lines, PC-3 and DU-145, was investigated. After treatment with varying doses of SN, apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Prostaglandin E2 production was detected by ELISA, and expression levels of cyclooxygenase-2 and nuclear factor-kappa B were evaluated by western blot. In both PC-3 and DU-145 cells, SN treatment induced apoptosis, inhibited in vitroproduction of prostaglandin E2, and decreased activation of cyclooxygenase-2 and nuclear factor-kappa B. Growth inhibition assays were also performed to determine whether cell viability was responsible for the decrease in the activation observed. In combination, these results suggest that SN can induce an anti-tumor response by suppressing the activation of cyclooxygenase-2 and nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathways.

Key words: Sinomenine, apoptosis, cyclooxygenase 2, nuclear factor-kappa B, prostaglandin E2, prostate cancer.