Carvacrol Induces Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-mediated Apoptosis Along with Cell Cycle Arrest at G₀/G₁ in Human Prostate Cancer Cells

ABSTRACT

Carvacrol, a major monoterpenoid phenol from Origanum and Thymus species, has been shown to exhibit antiproliferative and anticancer properties in a few recent studies. Nevertheless, detailed mechanism of the action of this compound in prostate cancer has not been elucidated yet. Therefore, in the current study, we examined the anticancer activity and mechanism of the action of carvacrol against human prostate cancer cells. It was found that the treatment of DU145 cells with carvacrol decreased cell viability in a concentration and time-dependent manner. The antiproliferative action of carvacrol leads to induction of apoptosis as confirmed by nuclear condensation, Annexin V-FITC/PI positive cells, and caspase-3 activation. In addition, carvacrol augmented reactive oxygen species generation and disruption in the mitochondrial membrane potential which has not been reported in the previous studies of carvacrol with prostate cancer. Moreover, carvacrol-induced apoptosis of prostate cancer cells was also accompanied by significant amount of growth arrest at the G₀/G₁ phase of the cell cycle which has also not been documented previously. To sum up, this study has established that carvacrol could be a promising chemotherapeutic agent and could have a direct practical implication and translational relevance to prostate cancer patients as Origanum consumption may retard prostate cancer progression.

Acknowledgment

The authors thank the management of Integral University for providing the facilities to carry out this study. The manuscript has manuscript id provided by Research and Development office, Integral University, Lucknow (IU/R&D/2017-1 MCN 00010).

Declaration of Interest

I confirm that this research paper authored by me/us is an original and genuine research work. It has neither been submitted for publication nor published elsewhere in any print/electronic form.