Nimbolide a limonoid from Azadirachta indica inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of human choriocarcinoma (BeWo) cells

Kumar, G Harish and Mohan, KVP Chandra and Rao, A Jagannadha and Nagini, S (2008) Nimbolide a limonoid from Azadirachta indica inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of human choriocarcinoma (BeWo) cells. In: Investigational New Drugs, 27 (3). pp. 246-252.

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Abstract

We investigated the cytotoxic effects of nimbolide, a limonoid present in leaves and flowers of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) on human choriocarcinoma (BeWo) cells. Treatment with nimbolide resulted in dose- and time-dependent inhibition of growth of BeWo cells with IC50 values of 2.01 and 1.19 μM for 7 and 24 h respectively, accompanied by downregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Examination of nuclear morphology revealed fragmentation and condensation indicating apoptosis. Increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that was reversed by addition of reduced glutathione suggested ROS involvement in the cytotoxicity of nimbolide. A decrease in Bcl-2/Bax ratio with increased expression of Apaf-1 and caspase-3, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase provide compelling evidence that nimbolide-induced apoptosis is mediated by the mitochondrial pathway. The results of the present study suggest that nimbolide has immense potential in cancer prevention and therapy based on its antiproliferative and apoptosis inducing effects.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Investigational New Drugs
Publisher:	Springer
Additional Information:	Copyright for this article belongs to Springer.
Keywords:	Apoptosis.Bcl-2/Bax.Neem.Nimbolide.PCNA.Reactive oxygen species
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Biochemistry
Date Deposited:	14 Dec 2009 12:42
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 05:30
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/19904

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