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Title: TRITERPENOIDS FROM GLYCINE MAX DECREASE INVASIVENESS AND INDUCE CASPASE MEDIATED CELL DEATH IN HUMAN SNB19 GLIOMA CELLS

Author
item YANAMANDRA, NIRANJAN - U OF I, COLL OF MED
item Berhow, Mark
item KONDURI, SANTHI - U OF I, COLL OF MED
item DINH, DZUNG - U OF I, COLL OF MED
item OLIVERO, WILLIAM - U OF I, COLL OF MED
item NICOLSON, GARTH - INST OF MOLECULAR MED
item RAO, JASTI - U OF I, COLL OF MED

Submitted to: Clinical and Experimental Metastasis
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/12/2002
Publication Date: 12/12/2002
Citation: YANAMANDRA, N., BERHOW, M.A., KONDURI, S., DINH, D.H., OLIVERO, W.C., NICOLSON, G.L., RAO, J.S. TRITERPENOIDS FROM GLYCINE MAX DECREASE INVASIVENESS AND INDUCE CASPASE MEDIATED CELL DEATH IN HUMAN SNB19 GLIOMA CELLS. CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL METASTASIS. 2003. v. 20. p. 375-383.

Interpretive Summary: In recent years there has been increasing interest in compounds present in foods that may prevent or slow the progression of chronic illnesses, such as cancer. Saponins are a class of compounds found in soy that have been reported to have anti-cancer activity, but require more comprehensive study. Using a highly purified saponin fraction from soy, we have shown that saponins alter the function of the mitochondria in cultured cancer cells causing a series of reactions that result in the eventual death of these cells. It may be that foods rich in saponins could be used as an alternative cancer therapy.

Technical Abstract: In recent years there has been an increasing interest in compounds present in foods that may prevent or slow the progression of chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and cancer. Saponins have been reported to have important time-dependent anti-cancer properties. We have used a highly purified and characterized saponin fraction containing the soyasapogenol B glycosides (the "B group" saponins) from soybeans (Glycine max L.) to demonstrate a reduction in SNB19 human glioblastoma cell invasion (45% decrease compared to untreated cells) in vitro in a Matrigel invasion assay. We have also demonstrated that triterpenoid saponin induces apoptosis and affects mitochondrial function. Dose-dependent loss of mitochondrial trans-membrane potential in SNB19 cells occurred with treatment, along with release of cytochrome c, processing of caspase-9, and -3 and specific cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), a substrate of caspase-3. The results suggest that the Saponin fraction induces apoptosis in SNB19 human glioblastoma cells by stimulating cytochrome-c release and subsequent activation of a caspase cascade. Our observations clearly demonstrate the pro-apoptotic and anti-invasive activities of the soyasapogenol B glycosides from soybeans. Abbreviations: PI-propidium iodide; Apaf-1-apoptosis protease activating factor-1; PARP-poly ADP-ribosepolymerase; HPLC-high pressure liquid chromatography.