Antiproliferative effect of isolated isoquinoline alkaloid from Mucuna pruriens seeds in hepatic carcinoma cells

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to investigate the antiproliferative action of isolated M1 (6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid) from Mucuna pruriens seeds using human hepatic carcinoma cell line (Huh-7 cells). Initially, docking studies was performed to find out the binding affinities of M1 to caspase-3 and 8 enzymes. Later, cytotoxic action of M1 was measured by cell growth inhibition (MTT), followed by caspase-3 and 8 enzymes assay colorimetrically. Our results collectively suggested that M1 had strong binding affinity to caspase-8 in molecular modelling. M1 possessed antiproliferative activity on Huh-7 cells (EC₅₀ = 13.97 μM) and also inhibited the action of caspase-8 enzyme, signified process of apoptosis. M1 was active against Huh-7 cells that may be useful for future hepatic cancer treatment.

Keywords:

• isoquinoline alkaloid
• molecular docking
• Huh-7 cells
• caspase-3 and 8

Acknowledgement

We are thankful to Director, CBMR, Lucknow for providing NMR facilities.

Additional information

Funding

Dr Sudipta Saha (corresponding author) would like to thank the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India, for providing UGC Start-Up-Grant [grant number F. 20-1/2012 (BSR)/20-7 (15)/2012 (BSR)].