Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells and Zebrafish by Corchorusoside C from Streptocaulon juventas

Corchorusoside C (1), isolated from Streptocaulon juventas collected in Vietnam, was found to be nontoxic in a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model and to induce cytotoxicity in several cancer cell lines with notable selective activity against prostate DU-145 cancer cells (IC50 0.08 μM). Moreover, corchorusoside C induced DU-145 cell shrinkage and cell detachment. In CCD-112CoN colon normal cells, 1 showed significantly reduced cytotoxic activity (IC50 2.3 μM). A preliminary mechanistic study indicated that 1 inhibits activity and protein expression of NF-κB (p50 and p65), IKK (α and β), and ICAM-1 in DU-145 cells. ROS concentrations increased at 5 h post-treatment, and MTP decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, decreased protein expression of Bcl-2 and increased expression of PARP-1 was observed. Furthermore, corchorusoside C increased both the activity and protein levels of caspases 3 and 7. Additionally, 1 induced sub-G1 population increase of DU-145 cells and modulated caspases in zebrafish with non...