Investigation of aromotase inhibition by several dietary vegetables in human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines

Objective: In this study we have investigated the effect of extracts obtained from well-known vegetable diets consumed commonly in Mediterranean and Aegean regions of Turkey on the expression of aromatase at protein, mRNA and activity levels in human non-small cell lung cancer cells- PC-3 and PC-14 cell lines. Method: For this purpose, cytotoxicity was determined by using crystal violet stain. In vivo and in vitro aromatase activity was determined flourometrically. The expression of aromatase in protein and mRNA levels was detected by Western blotting using anti-hCYP19 and reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction using suitable primers, respectively. Result: Extracts obtained from Laurus nobilis, Mentha piperita, Crocus sativus reduced aromatase activity 32%, 44%, 36% and 42%, 32%, 56% in PC-14 and PC-3 cell lines, respectively, no significant changes were observed in protein and mRNA levels. Whereas extract obtained from Allium porrum decreased aromatase activity and mRNA level only in PC-14 cell lines by 52% and 2,5-fold, respectively, without significant influence on aromatase protein level. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study have shown that Laurus nobilis, Mentha piperita, Crocus sativus and Allium porrum do contain effective aromatase inhibitors. Therefore, further studies investigating the content of these vegetables are necessary to understand the potential role and mechanism of action of these foods in reducing the risk of non-small cell lung carcinomas. © TurkJBiochem.com.