Bitter gourd seed fatty acid rich in 9c,11t,13t-conjugated linolenic acid induces apoptosis and up-regulates the GADD45, p53 and PPARgamma in human colon cancer Caco-2 cells

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2005 Aug;73(2):113-9. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2005.04.013.

Abstract

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) seed oil (BGO) is a unique oil which contains 9cis, 11trans, 13trans-conjugated linolenic acid (9c,11t,13t-CLN) at a high level of more than 60%. In this study, we investigated the anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of free fatty acids prepared from BGO (BGO-FFA) using colon cancer Caco-2 cells. BGO-FFA and purified 9c,11t,13t-CLN remarkably reduced the cell viability of Caco-2. In Caco-2 cells treated with BGO-FFA, DNA fragmentation of apoptosis indicators was observed in a dose-dependent manner. The expression level of apoptosis suppressor Bcl-2 protein was also decreased by BGO-FFA treatment. The GADD45 and p53, which play an important role in apoptosis-inducing pathways, were remarkably up-regulated by BGO-FFA treatment in Caco-2 cells. Up-regulation of PPARgamma mRNA and protein were also observed during apoptosis induced by BGO-FFA. These results suggest that BGO-FFA rich in 9c,11t,13t-CLN may induce apoptosis in Caco-2 cells through up-regulation of GADD45, p53 and PPARgamma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis* / genetics
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Colonic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids / isolation & purification
  • Fatty Acids / pharmacology
  • Fatty Acids / therapeutic use
  • GADD45 Proteins
  • Gene Expression / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Linolenic Acids / isolation & purification
  • Linolenic Acids / pharmacology
  • Linolenic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Momordica charantia / chemistry*
  • PPAR gamma / genetics
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Oils / therapeutic use*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Fatty Acids
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Linolenic Acids
  • PPAR gamma
  • Plant Oils
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • eleostearic acid