Cyanidin induces apoptosis and differentiation in prostate cancer cells

Several natural antioxidants, including anthocyanins, have been reported to have chemotherapeutic activity in vivo and in vitro. The aim of the present study was to delineate the anti-proliferative activity and the cytodifferentiation properties mediated by cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside (C3G) treatment in the DU145 and LnCap human prostatic cancer cell lines. C3G produced anti-proliferative effects through activation of caspase-3 and induction of p21 protein expression. The reduced cell viability was associated with a clear increase of DNA fragmentation in both cell lines after C3G treatment. Since LnCap and DU145 exhibited differences in sensitivity to C3G treatment, the redox state of these cells was further investigated by estimating the levels of ROS and GSH. C3G antioxidant activity was confirmed only in DU145 cell line. Treatment with C3G increased the levels of tumor suppressor P75NGFR, indicating a possible role of C3G in the acquisition of a normal-like cell phenotype. Results reported in the present study demonstrate that C3G, the most abundant anthocyanin in diet, may represent a new approach and highly effective strategy in reducing carcinogenesis. C3G may be considered a new therapeutic agent with both anti-proliferative and pro-differentiation properties.