Indole-3-Carbinol Inhibits Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

This study explored the effects of indole-3-carbinol on the proliferation of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma, both in vitro and in vivo, and the underlying mechanisms in inducing apoptosis of CNE I cells. Proliferation, apoptosis, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, expressions of caspase-9, and caspase-3 in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells CNEI were examined. Indole-3-carbinol suppressed proliferation, induced apoptosis, decreased malondialdehyde level, increased the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and up-regulated the expression of active fragments of caspase-9 and caspase-3 both in vitro and in vivo. It was concluded that indole-3-carbinol could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of CNEI cells and inhibit tumor growth in mice. Increased activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and activated expression of caspase-9 and caspase-3 were also observed in indole-3-carbinol-treated tumors or tumor cells, suggesting that stress- and apoptosis-related molecules are involved in the indole-3-carbinol-induced apoptosis and inhibition of tumor growth.