Grape seed extract triggers apoptosis in Caco-2 human colon cancer cells through reactive oxygen species and calcium increase: extracellular signal-regulated kinase involvement

• DOI: 10.1017/s0007114512006095
• Publication Date: 2013-02-25T08:55:57Z
• Authors: Simona Dinicola; Maria Addolorata ...; Caterina Morabito; Simone Guarnieri; Alessandra Cucina; Alessia Pasqualato; Fabrizio D'Anselmi; Sara Proietti; Pierpaolo Coluccia; Mariano Bizzarri
• Keywords: Calcium in biology

Grape seed extract (GSE) from Italia, Palieri and Red Globe cultivars inhibits cell growth induces apoptosis in Caco-2 human colon cancer cells a dose-dependent manner. In order to investigate the mechanism(s) supporting apoptotic process, we analysed reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, intracellular Ca 2+ handling extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation. Upon exposure GSE, ROS levels increased cells, concomitantly with ERK inactivation. As activity is thought be essential for promoting survival pathways, inhibition of this likely play relevant role GSE-mediated anticancer effects. Indeed, pretreatment N -acetyl cysteine, scavenger, reversed GSE-induced apoptosis, promoted phosphorylation. This effect was strengthened by ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid-mediated influx. influx inhibition, turn, phosphorylation, hence almost entirely suppressed apoptosis. These data suggested that GSE triggers previously unrecognised ERK-based mechanism, involving both production increase, eventually leading cells.