Induction of apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells by neoechinulin A from marine-derived fungus Microsporum sp.

Recently, the relationship between apoptosis and cancer has been emphasized and the induction of apoptosis is recognized as one of the key mechanisms of anti-cancer agents. Marine-derived fungi are valuable sources of structurally diverse bioactive compounds with anticancer activity. In the present study, a marine-derived fungus, Microsporum sp. was cultured and a prenylated indole alkaloid, neoechinulin A was isolated from the culture broth extract. Neoechinulin A has shown cytotoxic effect on human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells and its apoptosis induction in HeLa cells was investigated by the expressions of p53, p21, Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase 9, and Caspase 3 proteins. Western blot analysis has revealed that neoechinulin A could induce cell apoptosis through down-regulating of Bcl-2 expression, up-regulating of Bax expression, and activating the caspase-3 pathway. Collectively, these results suggest that neoechinulin A could be a potential candidate in the field of anticancer drug discovery against human cervical cancer.

► Marine-derived fungus, Microsporum sp. was isolated and cultured.
► Neoechinulin A was isolated from the culture broth.
► Neoechinulin A induced apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells.
► Collectively, neoechinulin A could be developed as a potential anticancer drug.