Diallyl trisulfide induces Bcl-2 and caspase-3-dependent apoptosis via downregulation of Akt phosphorylation in human T24 bladder cancer cells

It is well known that the garlic-derived organosulfur compounds (OSCs) are effective to inhibit a variety of human cancers such as prostate, breast, colon, skin, lung, and bladder cancers. Herein, the proapoptotic effects of diallyl trisulfide (DAIS), one of garlic-derived OSCs, on 124 bladder cancer cells were investigated. The results demonstrated that DAIS suppressed proliferation of 124 bladder cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner which was associated with induced G2/M Phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Mechanistically, DAIS inhibits phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase/Akt activation that, in turn, results in modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins, leading to enhanced apoptosis of 124 cells. These findings suggest that DAIS may be an effective way for treating human bladder and other types of cancers. (C) 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.