Apoptotic Activity Of A New Jasmonate Analogue Is Associated With Its Induction Of Dna Damage

The current study was undertaken to investigate the effects of methyl 5-chloro-4,5-didehydrojasmonate (J7), an analogue of methyl jasmonate, on the in vitro growth of human cervical carcinoma He La cells. Significantly decreased rates of viability (IC50 similar to 15 mu M) as well as evidence of apoptosis were observed with J7. Cell morphological changes observed under light microscopy confirmed apoptosis occurrence. Furthermore, the results from Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and the cell cycle arrest assay indicated that J7 induced earlier apoptosis of He La cells. J7 also reduced the expression of Bcl-2 and subsequent activation of a protease cascade involving caspase-9 and -3 by Western blot assay was observed. We also found that J7 was able to induce DNA damage. These findings suggest that J7 induces He La cell apoptosis by activation of caspase pathway and the apoptotic effect is associated with DNA damage. Therefore, J7 may be a candidate compound to be developed into an anticancer agent.