Effects of ILTG on DAPK1 promoter methylation in colon and leukemia cancer cell lines.

AIMS The aim of this study was to describe quantitatively the potential demethylating effects of the plant-derived compound isoliquritigenin (ILTG) on the death-associated protein kinase-1 (DAPK1) promoter region of colon cancer and leukemia cell lines. METHODS Methylation-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction-melting curve analysis (MSP-MCA) was the primary method used. A simple cytotoxicity assay and an ethidium bromide displacement assay were used to evaluate the chemopreventive indices and account for any problems in fluorometric assessment caused by intercalating potential of the compound of interest. RESULTS ILTG was able to affect the melting curve significantly when using MSP-MCA. ILTG exhibited a demethylating activity on HT-29 colon cancer and HL-60 leukemia cells. CONCLUSION ILTG found in licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) may have the potential for being a cancer chemopreventive agent. From the specific assays performed in this experiment, ILTG appears to possess potential for development as a demethylating agent for either colon cancer or leukemia cancer prevention.