Effects of (5Z)-7-oxozeaenol on the oxidative pathway of cancer cells.

Aim: As part of an on going investigation of novel anticancer agents from natural origin, the biological and cellular effects of (5Z)-7-oxozeaenol on cancer cells were investigated.
Materials and Methods: The expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), IκB kinase (IKKα), IKKβ and caspase-3 were analyzed by western blot. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescence and caspase luminescent assays were used to assess the intracellular effects in HeLa cervical and HT-29 colon cancer cell lines. The mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).
Results: Cells treated with (5Z)-7-oxozeaenol exhibited down-regulation of NF-κB in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with (5Z)-7-oxozeaenol significantly enhanced the levels of ROS in HeLa and HT-29 cells. MTP was reduced in HT-29 cells. The expression of caspase-3 and -7 was induced in (5Z)-7-oxozeaenol treated HeLa cells, in comparison with those treated with paclitaxel.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that (5Z)-7-oxozeaenol is a potent inhibitor of the NF-κB pathway and potentiates the production of ROS, as well as induces caspase-3 and -7 in HeLa and HT-29 cancer cells. Thus, (5Z)-7-oxozeaenol represents a new lead compound for drug development, particularly as a new cancer chemotherapeutic agent, since programmed cell death might be mediated through the activation of a caspase-arbitrated pathway.