Garlic arrests MDA-MB-435 cancer cells in mitosis, phosphorylates the proapoptotic BH3-only protein BimEL and induces apoptosis
2005
Garlic Extract Causes Cancer Cell Death
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Lund T, Stokke T, Olsen Ø E, Fodstad Ø
Primary Institution: Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, Oslo 0310, Norway
Hypothesis
Can garlic extracts induce apoptosis in cancer cells?
Conclusion
Garlic extracts can arrest cancer cells in mitosis and induce apoptosis through modifications of the proapoptotic protein BimEL.
Supporting Evidence
- Garlic extracts caused a strong mitotic arrest in cancer cells.
- Apoptosis was quantified using TUNEL staining and flow cytometry.
- Phosphorylation of BimEL was observed after garlic treatment.
- Garlic treatment increased the level of BimEL in the mitochondrial fraction.
- Combination of garlic and ERK inhibitors enhanced apoptotic markers.
Takeaway
Garlic can help kill cancer cells by stopping them from dividing and making them die.
Methodology
The study used a human metastatic cancer cell line, MDA-MB-435, to investigate the effects of garlic extracts on cell cycle and apoptosis.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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