已发表论文

D-柠檬烯通过诱导肺癌中的自噬和细胞凋亡显示出其抗肿瘤活性

 

Authors Yu X, Lin H, Wang Y, Lv W, Zhang S, Qian Y, Deng X, Feng N, Yu H, Qian B

Received 1 November 2017

Accepted for publication 6 February 2018

Published 4 April 2018 Volume 2018:11 Pages 1833—1847

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/OTT.S155716

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single-blind

Peer reviewers approved by Dr Colin Mak

Peer reviewer comments 3

Editor who approved publication: Dr Ingrid Espinoza

Purpose: D-limonene is a plant extract with widespread application, and it has been recently reported to have antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects on cancer cells. However, the mechanisms by which D-limonene achieves these effects, especially in lung cancer, are not entirely clear. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine the effects of D-limonene on lung cancer and explore its mechanisms of action.
Methods: We examined the therapeutic effects of D-limonene on lung cancer cells and in a xenograft animal model by characterizing its effects on the pathways of apoptosis and autophagy. Cell proliferation was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8, and apoptosis was determined by flow cytometric analysis. Levels of LC3 puncta, an autophagy marker, were analyzed by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Autophagy and apoptosis-related gene expression were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.
Results: D-limonene inhibited the growth of lung cancer cells and suppressed the growth of transplanted tumors in nude mice. Expression of apoptosis and autophagy-related genes were increased in tumors after treatment with D-limonene. Furthermore, the use of chloroquine, an autophagy inhibitor, and knockdown of the atg5  gene, suppressed the apoptosis induced by D-limonene.
Conclusion: D-limonene may have a therapeutic effect on lung cancer as it can induce apoptosis of lung cancer cells by promoting autophagy.
Keywords: D-limonene, lung cancer, apoptosis, autophagy