The effect of carvacrol on the interleukin-6 gene expression and cell signaling proteins in prostatic cancer cell line DU-145

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) causes anti-apoptotic and drug-resistant effects in prostate cancer cells. Carvacrol, an herbal antioxidant, exists in many different plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Carvacrol on IL-6 gene expression, cellular signaling proteins, and cell emigration in DU-145 prostate cancer cells. In this experimental study, DU-145 cells were treated with various concentrations of carvacrol for 48 hours. Then, cell viability was assessed by MTT assay and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined. IL-6 levels at various concentrations of carvacrol were determined by ELISA kit. Il-6 gene expression and cell signaling proteins (pStat3، pErk and pAkt) were determined using real-time RT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. DU-145 cells migration and invasion were assessed by invasion assay test. Carvacrol IC50 for DU-145 prostate cancer cells was 406. 2 μM. Carvacrol at 150 μM exhibits IL-6 expression at both mRNA and protein levels, but carvacrol reduces IL-6 expression at more than 150 μM at both mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner (P<0. 05). Carvacrol suppresses pStat3, pErk, and pAkt cell signaling proteins at a dose-dependent manner more than 150 μM. Also, carvacrol significantly declines cell viability and emigrational invasion ability in DU-145 prostate cancer cells (P<0. 05). Carvacrol reduces cell growth, proliferation, and cell emigration through diminished cell signaling proteins and IL-6 gene expression, and it causes induction of apoptosis in DU-145 prostate cancer cells. Therefore, carvacrol can be considered as a useful therapeutic agent to treat prostate cancer.