Pro-apoptotic effects of 1′-acetoxychavicol acetate in human breast carcinoma cells

The tropical ginger compound, 1′-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA) possesses cancer chemopreventive properties in several models but its effects on breast cancer have not been fully evaluated. In this study, the effects of ACA on human breast carcinoma-derived MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell viability were assessed using trypan blue exclusion analysis. ACA significantly decreased cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with effective concentrations 10–50 μM. Apoptosis was confirmed by morphological examination of cells through light microscopy, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride staining, and annexin V/Alexa Fluor 488 staining visualized using flow cytometry. ACA also increased protein expression of the activated form of caspase-3 in MDA-MB-231 cells. Addition of antioxidants N-acetylcysteine, ascorbic acid, or trolox prevented the loss of viability caused by ACA using trypan blue uptake as a marker. These results suggest ACA may have potential anticancer effects against breast carcinoma cells by inducing apoptosis.