Anticancer Properties of Eisenia Foetida Proteins in Prostate Cancer Cells In Vitro

Abstract

Earthworms are tube-shaped, segmental worms and have a double transport system consisting of earthworm coelomic fluid (ECF) moving within the fluid-filled colon. As one of the naturally available extracts (NAEs), ECF exerts different biological functions, such as inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells. Pharmacokinetic limitations in prostate cancer (PCa) treatment and undesirable side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs necessitate the discovery of new anticancer agents. Recent studies have focused on the antitumor activity of different regions of earthworms as a new potential anticancer agent. However, there are limited findings on the potential effects of ECF on PCa cells in vitro. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the potential anticancer effects of ECF (obtained from Eisenia foetida) on two different types of PCa cells. In this study, the protein content of ECF, the most effective dose and incubation time and potentially genotoxic and apoptotic effects were determined in PC-3 and LNCaP cells for the first time. Bax and Bcl-2 gene and protein expression levels were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting, respectively. ECF increased apoptotic cell death; however, it did not have a significant genotoxic effect on PCa cells. The apoptotic effect of ECF in PCa cells varies according to the AR status and is more effective in AR-insensitive cells (PC-3). Therefore, our results will specifically support the pharmacological development of ECF as a potential anticancer molecule in the treatment of PCa in the future.