Lupeol

Cell experiment:

LAPC4 (wild-functional AR/ADPC); LNCaP (mutant-functional AR/ADPC); 22Rν1 (mutant-functional AR/androgen-independent but responsive); C4-2b cells (mutant-functional AR/CRPC) and PC-3 and DU-145 (lack of endogenous AR) are grown under standard cell culture conditions at 37°C and 5% CO2 environment. The cells (60-70% confluent) are treated with Lupeol (10-50 μM) for 48 h in complete growth medium. For combination set of experiments, cells are treated with either agonistic androgen-analogue R1881 (1 nM), or antagonist Bicalutamide (10 μM), and/or combination (R1881+Lupeol) for 48 h. After incubation for specified times at 37°C, MTT assay is performed. For sensitization studies, hormone refractory C4-2b cells are treated with Lupeol for 24 h. After 24 h, cells are incubated with Bicalutamide (10 μM) for further 24 h. Cells are assessed for viability[1].

Animal experiment:

Mice[1] Tumor studies are conducted in athymic nude mice and two cohorts of animals are created. 3×106 of cells are injected subcutaneously in the right flanks of each mouse. Each cohort receive a specific cell type either LNCaP or C4-2b. One week post-implantation, twenty mice (with visible tumors) in each cohort are randomly divided into two groups, with 10 animals in each group. The first group of animals receive intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of corn oil (100 μL) and served as control. The second group of animals receive i.p. administration of Lupeol (40 mg/kg in 100 μL of corn oil) three times/week. Body weights and tumor volumes are recorded. All animals of group 1 and group 2 are sacrificed when tumors cross a pre-set endpoint volume of 1,000 mm3.

References:

[1]. Siddique HR, et al. Lupeol, a novel androgen receptor inhibitor: implications in prostate cancer therapy. Clin Cancer Res. 2011 Aug 15;17(16):5379-91.