Lycopene induce apoptosis in human prostate cells and alters the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 genes

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men of the Western world. Lycopene has received attention due to its potential to prevent cancer. Alterations of the balance between proliferation and apoptosis are associated with cancer. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of lycopene on cell viability and apoptosis of human prostate cancer (PCa) cells and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) cells. We have studied prostate cells treated with lycopene for 96 h. Using MTT assay, we observed a decrease of viable PCa cells after treatment with lycopene. Flow cytometer analysis revealed that lycopene promoted up to two-fold increase of apoptotic cells in PCa cells when compared to the control group. Using real time PCR assay, we found that lycopene promoted an up-regulation of Bax gene and a downregulation of Bcl-2 gene in PCa cells. Less expressive effects were observed in BPH cells. Taken together, the present study supports the proposal that lycopene may have a protective effect on prostate cancer.