[Procyanidins inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis of the prostate cancer cell line LNCaP].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of procyanidins on proliferation and apoptosis of a hormone-dependent prostate cancer cell line LNCaP in vitro. METHODS: LNCaP cells were cultured in the presence of procyanidin (at 100, 200 and 300 microg/ml, respectively). After 24, 48 and 72 h of culture, the morphological changes of LNCaP cells were examined, and the inhibition of cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay and cell apoptosis evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: After procyanidins treatment, some LNCaP cells presented characteristic morphological changes. Procyanidins inhibited the growth of LNCaP cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis showed that procyanidins induced apoptosis of LNCaP cells and the percentage of apoptotic cells increased with the concentration of procyanidins administered and also the elongation of treatment time. CONCLUSION: Procyanidins inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of prostate cancer cells.