Limonene exerts antiproliferative effects and increases nitric oxide levels on a lymphoma cell line by dual mechanism of the ERK pathway: relationship with oxidative stress.

MANUELE MG; BARREIRO ARCOS ML; DAVICINO R; FERRARO G; CREMASCHI G; ANESINI C

CANCER INVESTIGATION

TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC

Lugar: London; Año: 2010 vol. 28 p. 135 - 145

0735-7907

D-limonene is a common monoterpene found in nature. Previously, it has been demonstrated that it has antiproliferative effects on a lymphoma cell line by increasing the nitric oxide (NO) level. In the present work this mechanism is analyzed by evaluating the participation of MAP38 and ERK pathways. Limonene increased the NO levels by inducing cell apoptosis by two mechanisms: through the production of H2O2 and ERK pathway activation at low concentrations, and through the inhibition of farnesylation of proteins and O2− production at high concentrations. Both mechanisms were related to the increase in total nitrites, and the production of oxidative stress intermediates was involved.