Purpose
We investigated the anticancer effect of AE (1,8-dihydroy-3-[hydroxymethyl]-anthraquione) in the T24 human bladder cancer cell line (Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan) by studying apoptosis regulation.
Materials and Methods
AE, which is purified from aloe vera leaves, has been reported to have antitumor activity. Cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometric methods. Levels of cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinase 1 and other enzyme were examined by Western blotting methods.
Results
AE inhibited cell viability, and induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis in T24 cells. AE increased the levels of Wee1 and cdc25c, and may have led to inhibition of the levels of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 and cyclin B1, which cause G2/M arrest. AE induced p53 expression and was accompanied by the induction of p21 and caspase-3 activation, which was associated with apoptosis. In addition, AE was associated with a marked increase in Fas/APO1 receptor and Bax expression but it inhibited Bcl-2 expression.
Conclusions
AE induced apoptosis in T24 cells is mediated through the activation of p53, p21, Fas/APO-1, Bax and caspase-3.
