Title:Scaphechinus mirabilis Extract Effectively Inhibits the Proliferation of
BPH-1 and LNCaP Prostate Epithelial Cells
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Author(s): Kyung-Hyun Kim, Geum-Lan Hong , Shanika Karunasagara and Ju-Young Jung*
Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Veterinary Science, Chungnam National University, 99, Daehak-ro,
Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
Keywords:
Prostate epithelial cell, Scaphechinus mirabilis, LNCaP, BPH-1, cell proliferation, apoptosis.
Abstract: Background: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related disease characterized
by progressive proliferation of prostate stromal and epithelial cells. While the precise etiology
of BPH is still not clear, the proliferation of epithelial cells has been implicated in the development
of the disease. Scaphechinus mirabilis (S. mirabilis) is a marine species belonging to the order Clypeasteroida,
which contains flat, burrowing sea urchins.
Objectives: This study examined the effects of S. mirabilis extract on the proliferation of BPH-1 and
LNCaP prostate epithelial cells.
Methods: BPH-1 and LNCaP cells were cultured and treated with S. mirabilis extract (50, 100, and
200 μg/ml). The viability of cells treated with S. mirabilis extract was determined by the MTT assay.
Results: Proliferation of BPH-1 and testosterone-induced LNCaP cells was inhibited by treatment
with S. mirabilis extract. S. mirabilis extract suppressed the expression of androgen-related proteins,
such as androgen receptor, prostate-specific antigen, and 5α-reductase 2. S. mirabilis extract
inhibited testosterone-induced proliferation. Moreover, S. mirabilis extract induced apoptotic responses
by regulating the expression of caspase-9, Bcl-2, and Bax.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that S. mirabilis extract abrogated the expression of androgen-
related proteins by inducing apoptotic responses, which could be valuable for the design of
new therapeutic agents for the treatment of BPH.