Apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells induced by S-alkenylmercaptocysteine (CySSR) species derived from Allium tissues in combination with sodium selenite

S-Allylmercaptocysteine (CySSA) from garlic is known to exhibit anti-cancer effects. Apoptosis induction by CySSA was contrasted with S-1-propenylmercaptocysteine (CySSPe) (the major onion analog) in the presence of Na2SeO3 (Se) in breast cancer cells MCF-7. The dose of CySSA or CySSPe alone required to reduce viable cells by 50% was >400 μM, and this was reduced to 62 μM and 91 μM for CySSA + Se and CySSPe + Se, respectively, at molar ratios of 39:1. Synergism of the mixtures was confirmed by isobologram analysis and the treatments evoked enhanced thiol efflux from MCF-7 cells. Apoptosis was confirmed by Annexin-V and propidium iodide staining. Cell cycle arrest occurred at the G2/M and sub-G1 interphases. Both CySSR + Se mixtures reduced the levels of Akt. CySSPe + Se elevated GSK-3 protein levels, whereas CySSA + Se did not. CySSR + Se mixtures enhanced phospho-c-Jun levels, with CySSA + Se more potent than CySSPe + Se. Corresponding increases in phospho-p53, Bax and Bad levels were observed, indicating apoptosis occurred via the mitochondrial pathway. Lack of caspases 6/7 activation implicated a caspase-independent pathway for apoptosis. Reduction of imported CySSR and export of thiols by MCF-7 cells facilitates the reduction of selenite to yield H2Se, a cytotoxic agent. This appears to be the first report of an anti-cancer effect of CySSPe.