Title:Prunus Armeniaca L. Seed Extract and Its Amygdalin Containing Fraction Induced Mitochondrial-Mediated Apoptosis and Autophagy in Liver Carcinogenesis
Volume: 21
Issue: 5
Author(s): Samar Hosny, Heba Sahyon, Magdy Youssef and Amr Negm*
Affiliation:
- Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, 35516 Mansoura,Egypt
Keywords:
Amygdalin, Bcl-2, Beclin-1, caspase-3, hepatocarcinogenesis, autophagy.
Abstract:
Background: Despite significant advances in therapeutic interventions, liver cancer is the leading
cause of cancer mortality in the world. Potential phytochemicals have shown to be promising agents against
many life-threatening diseases because of their low toxicity and potential effectiveness.
Objective: The current study aims to conduct an in vitro investigation of the anticancer activity of Apricot Extract
(AE) and Amygdalin Containing Fraction (ACF), additionally studying their therapeutic effects on DMBAinduced
liver carcinogenesis mice model to highlight their related biochemical and molecular mechanisms.
Methods and Results: Amygdalin was isolated from the seeds of P. armeniaca L. Male mice received AE or
ACF, DMBA, DMBA+AE, DMBA+ACF, and vehicles. The oxidative stress and antioxidant markers, cell proliferation
by flow cytometric analysis of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) expression, angiogenesis
marker (VEGF), inflammatory marker (TNF-α), apoptotic, anti-apoptotic and autophagy genes expression
(caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Beclin-1) were investigated. AE and ACF were found to stimulate the apoptotic process
by up-regulating caspase-3 expression and down-regulating Bcl-2 expression. They also reduced VEGF and
PCNA levels and increased the antioxidant defense system. Moreover, AE and ACF treatments also inhibited
HepG2 and EAC cell proliferation and up-regulated Beclin-1 expression.
Conclusion: This study provides evidence that, in DMBA-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, the key proteins involved
in the proliferation, angiogenesis, autophagy, and apoptosis are feasible molecular targets for hepatotherapeutic
potential using AE and ACF.