Synergistic Impact of d-δ-Tocotrienol and Geranylgeraniol on the Growth and HMG CoA Reductase of Human DU145 Prostate Carcinoma Cells

Nutr Cancer. 2017 May-Jun;69(4):682-691. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2017.1299876. Epub 2017 Mar 31.

Abstract

The growth-suppressive effect of d-δ-tocotrienol and geranylgeraniol is at least partially attributed to their impact on 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway that provides essential intermediates for the posttranslational modification of growth-related proteins including RAS. We hypothesize that these agents synergistically impact cell growth based on their complementary mechanisms of action with HMG CoA reductase. d-δ-tocotrienol (0-40 µmol/L; half maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 15 µmol/L) and geranylgeraniol (0-100 µmol/L; IC50 = 60 µmol/L) each induced concentration-dependent suppression of the growth of human DU145 prostate carcinoma cells. Blends of the two agents synergistically suppressed the growth of DU145 cells, with combination index values ranging 0.67-0.75. While 7.5 µmol/L d-δ-tocotrienol and 30 µmol/L geranylgeraniol individually had no impact on cell cycle distribution in DU145 cells, a blend of the agents induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. The synergistic downregulation of the expression of HMG CoA reductase by 7.5 µmol/L d-δ-tocotrienol and 30 µmol/L geranylgeraniol was accompanied by a reduction in membrane K-RAS protein. Our finding supports the cancer chemopreventive action of plant-based diets and their isoprenoid constituents. Properly formulated isoprenoids and derivatives may provide novel approaches in prostate cancer prevention and therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology*
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Diterpenes / administration & dosage
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Synergism
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / metabolism*
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Male
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / metabolism
  • Vitamin E / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin E / analogs & derivatives

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Diterpenes
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • KRAS protein, human
  • Vitamin E
  • tocotrienol, delta
  • geranylgeraniol
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)