Effect of Turkish Propolis Extracts on Expression of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Nav 1.5 and 1.7 α-Isoforms in PC-3 Human Prostate Cancer Cells

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and water extracts of Turkish propolis (WEP) on mRNA expression of Nav 1.5 and 1.7 α isoforms of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel (VGSC) proteins in PC-3 human prostate cancer cells. Methods: DMSO and WEP (20 μg/mL each) were incubated for 24 h with PC-3 cells and total RNA was extracted using a commercial kit. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) assay was used to determine mRNA levels of the isoforms of VGSC. Expressions of VGSC were assumed to be 100% in PC-3 cells incubated without extract. Results: Both extracts decreased the expression of VGSC isoforms to varying extents. Expressions of Nav 1.5 and 1.7 was 61.43 ± 4.92 and 58.17 ± 2.88%, respectively for DMSO; while for WEP, the values were 83.54 ± 15.96 and 80.40 ± 13.87 20 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: This results suggest that DMSO and water extracts of Turkish propolis may have antimetastatic activity in PC-3 cells due to down-regulation of expressions mRNA of VGSC α-isoforms. © Pharmacotherapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, 300001 Nigeria. All rights reserved.