Anticancer Effects of Senecionine and Senecio vulgaris L. on Prostate Cancer Cell Lines

This research aimed at evaluating the effects of senecionine and Senecio vulgaris extract on apoptosis and cell cycle inhibition. Also, their cytotoxicity on prostate cancer cell lines (PC3, DU145 and HGFs), antioxidant effects, and influences on AR and CLU gene expression were investigated. In this experimental study, senecionine and S. vulgaris extract were prepared and the induced morphological changes on cell lines were evaluated in DMEM F12 cell culture after 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours by an invert microscope. Then, cell viability and apoptosis were determined by MTT and fluorescence analysis, respectively. Finally, AR and CLU gene expression and methylation of AR gene were evaluated using Real-time PCR and Bi-Sulfide test, respectively. Cytotoxicity data showed morphological changes 24 hours after treatment with senecionine in all cell lines and all concentrations which also increased in longer time. Based on MTT results, senecionine showed cytotoxicity in 50 and 500 μg/ml on PC3 and du145 prostate cancer cell lines. According to current findings, Ragwort aerial part extract are suggested for in vivo studies with minimum destruction on normal cells and inducing effects on destruction and apoptosis of prostate carcinogenic cell lines.