PC-3 암세포에 대한 18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid의 항암효과

Anticancer Effect of 18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid on PC-3

In the current study, we examined anticancer activity of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA) and its mechanism in a murine model bearing xenografts of PC-3 human prostate cancer cell line. For the examination, we utilized thymic mice and athymic animals as well. Results from cytotoxicity assay showed that 18β-GA caused killing of PC-3 cancer cells. The cytotoxicity was enhanced as the 18β-GA treatment was prolonged, which could be an anticancer factor of the compound. An LD50 of 18β-GA was approximately 120 μM and this efficacy appeared to be equivalent to efficacy of doxorubicin at 1 μM. Based on these in-vitro data, the anticancer activity was assessed in thymic mice (Balb/c strain) and athymice animals (Balb/c nu/nu), respectively. Xenograft tumors were generated by subcutaneous injection of PC-3 (3×106 cells/mouse) to test mice, 18β-GA (50 μg/time/mouse) was intraperitoneally given to the animals every other day for 4 times, and the tumor volumes were measured for a period of 21 days. Data displayed that the 18β-GA treatment reduced the tumor size (P < 0.01) as compared to control mice groups. The treatment increased the production of IFN-γ. However, the anticancer activity was demolished in athymic mice. These observations indicate that the anticancer activity may be associated with T lymphocyte, presumably by IFN-γ, a major cytokine of Th1-immunity. Combined all data together, 18β-GA has anticancer activity against PC-3 prostate cancer cell.