L-carvone induces p53, caspase 3 mediated apoptosis and inhibits the migration of breast cancer cell lines.

A wide variety of natural compounds exists that possesses significant cytotoxic as well as chemopreventive activity through induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. The antiproliferative and apoptotic effect of L-carvone, an active component of spearmint (Mentha spicata) was studied on breast cancer (MCF 7 and MDA MB 231) and normal (MCF 10A) cell lines, and insight into its mechanism of action was attained. L-carvone inhibited proliferation of MCF 7 (IC50 1.2 mM) and MDA MB 231 cells (IC50 1.0 mM) and inhibited the migration of breast cancer cell lines. L-carvone induced apoptosis as observed by nuclei fragmentation and the presence of apoptotic bodies in DAPI, AnnexinV/propidium iodide, and TUNEL assays. L-carvone exposure arrested MCF 7 cells in S phase of the cell cycle. DNA damage caused by L-carvone was apparent from the increased tail moment in COMET assay, which could be induced by an increase in ROS that was measured using a fluorescence probe. Glutathione levels were also increased. The increased level of p53, Bad, cleaved caspase 3, and cleaved PARP explained p53 and caspase-mediated apoptosis.