Mimosine, an amino acid extracted from Mimosa pudica, induces programmed cell death and suppresses growth in human pancreatic cancer in animal model. - GreenMedInfo Summary

BACKGROUND: Several studies have indicated that mimosine, a plant amino acid, is a potential inhibitor of the cell cycle giving rise to growth arrest in G1-phase. These results were mainly derived from in vitro investigations. To date only one paper is available about its applicability in xenografted lung tumor. This study revealed a tumor growth suppression and an increased apoptotic index. Our experiment was aimed at investigating the influence of mimosine in human pancreatic cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subcutaneously growing human pancreatic cancer xenografts in immunosuppressed mice were treated with 30 mg/kg b.w. mimosine for 34 days and the apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Mimosine treatment resulted in a significant tumor growth suppression and the sub-G1 fraction was doubled (10.82 +/- 1.18% vs. 4.65 +/- 1.65 % in controls, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This is the first evidence that mimosine exerts an apoptotic activity in xenotransplanted human pancreatic cancer and suppresses its growth.