Isolation of eugenyl β-primeveroside from Camellia sasanqua and its anticancer activity in PC3 prostate cancer cells
Chun-Chieh Wang a, Chi-Tang Ho b, Shih-Chieh Lee a,**, Tzong-Der Way c,d,e,*
a Department of Bioindustry Technology, Dayeh University, Changhua, Taiwan
b Department of Food Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
c Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung,
Taiwan
d Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
e Department of Health and Nutrition Biotechnology, College of Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
Most studies of tea trees have focused on their ornamental properties, there are fewer published studies on their medical values. The purpose of this study was to compare the chemical constituents and the biological potential of the water extract of leaves in eight species of Camellia including Camellia sinensis. Among eight Camellia species, Camellia sasanqua showed potent anticancer activities in prostate cancer PC3 cells. In addition to catechins, the major component, eugenyl β-primeveroside was detected in C. sasanqua. Eugenyl β-primeveroside blocked the progression of cell cycle at G1 phase by inducing p53 expression and further upregulating p21 expression. Moreover, eugenyl β-primeveroside induced apoptosis in PC3 prostate cancer cells. Our results suggest that C. sasanqua may have anticancer potential.
Keywords: apoptosis, Camellia sasanqua, eugenyl b-primeveroside, G1 arrest, prostate cancer