Inhibition of Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase by Sterculic Oil Reduces Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cell Lines

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common type of cancer affecting male population. PCa treatments have side effects and are temporarily effective, so new therapeutic options are being investigated. Due to the high demand of energy for cell proliferation, an increase in the expression and activity of lipogenic enzymes such as the stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) have been observed in PCa. Sterculic acid, contained in the seed’s oil of Malvales, is a natural inhibitor of SCD. The objective of our investigation was to evaluate the effects of sterculic oil (SO) from Sterculia apetala seeds on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. SO was administered to PC3 and LNCaP cells, and to prostate normal cells; cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, SCD gene and protein expression and enzymatic activity were analyzed. SO administration (4 mM sterculic acid) diminished cell viability in LNCaP and PC3 cells, arrested cell cycle in G2 and promoted apoptosis. SO diminished SCD enzymatic activity with no effects on gene nor protein expression. Our results suggest that SO might offer benefits as an adjuvant in hormonal and chemotherapy prostate cancer treatments. This is the first study to analyze the effect of SO on cancer cells.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Author Contribution

Eric Francisco Contreras-López, contributed substantially to the conception and design, the acquisition of data, and analysis and interpretation of data; to drafting the article; and approved the version to be published.

Carlos D. Cruz Hernández, contributed substantially to the acquisition of data, and analysis and interpretation of data; to drafting the article; and approved the version to be published.

Abril Ramírez Higuera, contributed substantially to the conception and design, and analysis and interpretation of data; to revising the article critically for important intellectual content; and approved the version to be published.

Carolina Peña Montes, contributed substantially to the conception and design, and analysis and interpretation of data; to revising the article critically for important intellectual content; and approved the version to be published.

Mauricio Rodríguez Dorantes, contributed substantially to the conception and design, and analysis and interpretation of data; to revising the article critically for important intellectual content; and approved the version to be published.

Rosa María Oliart Ros, contributed substantially to the conception and design, and analysis and interpretation of data; to revising the article critically for important intellectual content; and approved the version to be published.

Additional information

Funding

Eric Francisco Contreras López acknowledges her scholarship from the National Council for Science and Technology (Conacyt). This work was supported by Conacyt grant No. 288195.