Sulforaphane induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through transcriptome changes in human normal mucosa of stomach cells

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a naturally occurring isothiocyanate present at high concentrations in most cruciferous vegetables. Antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties of SFN have been shown to be effective. However, the cell viability effects and antioxidant mechanisms of SFN, especially in relation to human cancer and normal cells, remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the SFN effects on cell viability, apoptosis and gene expression in human normal mucosa of stomach cells (MNP01) treated for 24 hours. The results from acid phosphatase assay showed that SFN at concentrations of 16, and 32 μM decreased the cell viability and induces apoptosis in MNP01. The transcriptome analysis identified the influence of sulforaphane in several signaling pathways. SFN at 8 μM upregulated proapoptotic genes and downregulated genes related to cell cycle establishment and the DNA replication. Our findings suggest that high concentrations of SFN decrease the cell viability and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
Acknowledgements: CAPES (Code 001) and São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) – Grant numbers: 2016/14703-1, 2017/21561-1 and 2017/24576.