Korean J Anat.  2006 Jun;39(3):245-253.

Caspases-dependent Apoptosis in Human Melanoma Cell by Eugenol

• Kim GC
• Choi DS
• Lim JS
• Jeong HC
• Kim IR
• Lee MH
• Park BS

Abstract

Malignant melanoma is a highly metastatic tumor, resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Recent studies have suggested that many therapeutic agents used against cancer mediate their effects by induction of apoptosis of the cancer cells. Eugenol enhances the generation of tissue-damaging free radicals and inflammation or allergic reactions. In particular, it is more cytotoxic against cancer cells compared with normal fibroblasts. This study was performed to investigate whether the cytotoxic effect of eugenol is associated with the induction of apoptosis and involves activation of caspase in the human melanoma G361 cells. Eugenol-induced apoptosis was confirmed by MTT assay, Hemacolor stain, Hoechst stain, DNA electrophoresis, and Western blot analysis. Eugenol had a significant dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effect on the viability of G361 cells. Eugenol treatment induced caspase-3 and -6 cleavage, and activation. The caspase-3 substrates PARP and DFF45 are cleaved during eugenol-induced apoptosis. It was found that the casapase-6 substrate lamin A was cleaved, whose cleavage has been reported to be necessary for complete condesation of DNA during apoptosis. These results suggest that eugenol may constitute a potential antitumor compound against melanoma occurring in the skin and oral mucosa.

Keyword

Eugenol; Apoptosis; Human melanoma cells

MeSH Terms

Apoptosis*
Blotting, Western
Caspase 3
DNA
Drug Therapy
Electrophoresis
Eugenol*
Fibroblasts
Free Radicals
Humans*
Hypersensitivity
Inflammation
Lamin Type A
Melanoma*
Mouth Mucosa
Radiotherapy
Skin
Caspase 3
DNA
Eugenol
Free Radicals
Lamin Type A