Oleocanthal exerts antitumor effects on human liver and colon cancer cells through ROS generation

  • Authors:
    • Antonella Cusimano
    • Daniele Balasus
    • Antonina Azzolina
    • Giuseppa Augello
    • Maria R. Emma
    • Caterina Di Sano
    • Roberto Gramignoli
    • Stephen C. Strom
    • James A. McCubrey
    • Giuseppe Montalto
    • Melchiorre Cervello
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 21, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2017.4049
  • Pages: 533-544
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Abstract

The beneficial health properties of the Mediter­ranean diet are well recognized. The principle source of fat in Mediterranean diet is extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). Oleocanthal (OC) is a naturally occurring minor phenolic compound isolated from EVOO, which has shown a potent anti-inflammatory activity, by means of its ability to inhibit the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes COX-1 and COX-2. A large body of evidence indicates that phenols exhibit anticancer activities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential anticancer effects of OC in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal carcinoma (CRC) models. A panel of human HCC (HepG2, Huh7, Hep3B and PLC/PRF/5) and CRC (HT29, SW480) cell lines was used. Cells were treated with OC, and cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated. Compared with classical commercially available COX inhibitors (ibuprofen, indomethacin, nimesulide), OC was more effective in inducing cell growth inhibition in HCC and CRC cells. Moreover, OC inhibited colony formation and induced apoptosis, as confirmed by PARP cleavage, activation of caspases 3/7 and chromatin condensation. OC treatment in a dose dependent-manner induced expression of γH2AX, a marker of DNA damage, increased intracellular ROS production and caused mitochondrial depolarization. Moreover, the effects of OC were suppressed by the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Finally, OC was not toxic in primary normal human hepatocytes. In conclusion, OC treatment was found to exert a potent anticancer activity against HCC and CRC cells. Taken together, our findings provide preclinical support of the chemotherapeutic potential of EVOO against cancer.
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August-2017
Volume 51 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Cusimano A, Balasus D, Azzolina A, Augello G, Emma MR, Di Sano C, Gramignoli R, Strom SC, McCubrey JA, Montalto G, Montalto G, et al: Oleocanthal exerts antitumor effects on human liver and colon cancer cells through ROS generation. Int J Oncol 51: 533-544, 2017.
APA
Cusimano, A., Balasus, D., Azzolina, A., Augello, G., Emma, M.R., Di Sano, C. ... Cervello, M. (2017). Oleocanthal exerts antitumor effects on human liver and colon cancer cells through ROS generation. International Journal of Oncology, 51, 533-544. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2017.4049
MLA
Cusimano, A., Balasus, D., Azzolina, A., Augello, G., Emma, M. R., Di Sano, C., Gramignoli, R., Strom, S. C., McCubrey, J. A., Montalto, G., Cervello, M."Oleocanthal exerts antitumor effects on human liver and colon cancer cells through ROS generation". International Journal of Oncology 51.2 (2017): 533-544.
Chicago
Cusimano, A., Balasus, D., Azzolina, A., Augello, G., Emma, M. R., Di Sano, C., Gramignoli, R., Strom, S. C., McCubrey, J. A., Montalto, G., Cervello, M."Oleocanthal exerts antitumor effects on human liver and colon cancer cells through ROS generation". International Journal of Oncology 51, no. 2 (2017): 533-544. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2017.4049