Clarification of molecular mechanisms of the programmed cell death induced by quercetin derivatives in human colon carcinoma cells.

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26850084
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Food science
• Research Institution: Kagoshima University
• Principal Investigator: Sakao Kozue 鹿児島大学, 農水産獣医学域農学系, 助教 (40713285)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 食品機能

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To directly demonstrate the role of hydroxyl groups, we have synthesized 3,7,3',4'-O-tetraacetylquercetin (4Ac-Q) and 3,7,3',4'-O-tetrabenzylquercetin (4Bn-Q), which are substituted the hydroxyl groups of quercetin with acetyl or benzyl groups. Treatment of HCT116 human colon carcinoma cells with quercetin and its derivatives revealed that 4Ac-Q and quercetin, but not 4Bn-Q, significantly inhibit cell viability. Apoptosis as characterized by DNA fragmentation, activation of caspase-3, and PARP cleavage, was detected in the cells treated with quercetin or 4Ac-Q, but not with 4Bn-Q. Mitochondrial ROS data showed that quercetin and 4Ac-Q contributed to superoxide generation, consequently causing apoptosis. Furthermore, quercetin as well as 4Ac-Q treatment also induced autophagy. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that quercetin and 4Ac-Q induces a mitochondrial ROS-mediated apoptosis and the autophagy in HCT116 human colon carcinoma cells.

Free Research Field

農学