Lectin of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) promotes selective antitumor effects in human breast cancer cells

• Published in: Biotechnology letters Vol. 36; no. 3; pp. 461 - 469
• Main Authors: Monte, Leonardo G, Santi-Gadelha, Tatiane, Reis, Larissa B, Braganhol, Elizandra, Prietsch, Rafael F, Dellagostin, Odir A, e Lacerda, Rodrigo Rodrigues, Gadelha, Carlos A. A, Conceição, Fabricio R, Pinto, Luciano S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer-Verlag 01.03.2014; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Abelmoschus - chemistry; Abelmoschus esculentus; Antineoplastic Agents - isolation & purification; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Apoptosis; Applied Microbiology; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Breast; Breast cancer; breast neoplasms; Cancer; caspase-3; caspase-9; Caspases - analysis; cell death; cell growth; Cell Line, Tumor; Charge coupled devices; Epithelial Cells - drug effects; Epithelial Cells - physiology; Fibroblasts; Fibroblasts - drug effects; Fibroblasts - physiology; flow cytometry; genes; growth retardation; Human; Humans; Lectins; Lectins - isolation & purification; Lectins - pharmacology; Life Sciences; Microbiology; Okra; Original Research Paper; Phytochemicals; Lectin; Cancer inhibition; Human breast cancer; Plants; Okra; Apoptosis
• ISSN: 0141-5492; 1573-6776
• DOI: 10.1007/s10529-013-1382-4

The anti-tumor effects of a newly-discovered lectin, isolated from okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (AEL), were investigated in human breast cancer (MCF7) and skin fibroblast (CCD-1059 sk) cells. AEL induced significant cell growth inhibition (63 %) in MCF7 cells. The expression of pro-apoptotic caspase-3, caspase-9, and p21 genes was increased in MCF7 cells treated with AEL, compared to those treated with controls. In addition, AEL treatment increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in MCF7 cells. Flow cytometry also indicated that cell death (72 %) predominantly occurred through apoptosis. Thus, AEL in its native form promotes selective antitumor effects in human breast cancer cells and may represent a potential therapeutic to combat human breast cancer.