Effect of erythrinaline alkaloids from Erythrina lysistemon on human recombinant caspase-3

Prostate cancer is a leading killer disease among men all over the world. Inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) is a strategic chemotherapeutic approach. Caspase-3 is a key effector of apoptosis, and its activation promotes apoptosis. It was hypothesized that erythrinaline alkaloids activate caspase-3. The alkaloids were isolated from the flowers and pods of Erythrina lysistemon. Their effect on human recombinant caspase-3 was studied. This study reports that three erythrinaline alkaloids (+)-11α-hydroxyerysotrine N-oxide (1), (+)-11β-hydroxyerysotrine N-oxide (2) and (+)-11β-methoxyerysotrine N-oxide (3) activated human recombinant caspase-3 in a dose-dependent manner. Compound 1 and 2 increased the activity by five-fold while compound 3 increased it by ten-fold. Erythrinaline alkaloids exhibit remarkable ability to activate caspase-3 and may be lead compounds as potential therapeutics for the treatment of cancer as inducers of apoptosis in cancer cells. Key words: Erythrinaline alkaloids, human recombinant caspase-3, apoptosis, prostate cancer.