Curcusone C induces apoptosis in endometrial cancer cells via mitochondria-dependent apoptotic and ERK pathway

Objective Jatropha curcas has been used in traditional medicine in Africa to treat cancer for thousands of years. This study aimed to examine the anti-endometrial cancer effect of Curcusone C, a naturally occurring rhamnofolane diterpene, isolated from J. curcas and reveal its molecular mechanism of action. Results Curcusone C treatment caused significant anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects in human endometrial cancer (EC) Ishikawa and HEC-1A cells in a dose-dependent manner. Exposure of EC cells to Curcusone C resulted in apoptosis, which was associated with cytochrome c release, caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation, Bcl-xL/Bax dysregulation, and decreased expression of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins, such as XIAP and survivin. The inhibitory effect induced by Curcusone C was greatly impaired by the overexpression of survivin or Bax −/− MEFs or the knockdown of Bim expression. Moreover, Curcusone C activated mitogen-activated protein kinases, and the ERK inhibitor U0126 significantly attenuated the growth-inhibitory and apoptotic effects of Curcusone C in Ishikawa cells. Conclusion Taken together, the results demonstrate the anti-endometrial cancer potential of Curcusone C for the treatment of endometrial cancer.