Analysis of the effects of BZO‑HEXOXIZID (MDA19) on the expression level of PLA2G7, UCP2 and NEDD4L proteins in prostate cancer cells

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a hormone‑dependent type of cancer that exhibits oncogenic modulated metabolic programming, utilizing lipid oxidation for energy. Previous studies have demonstrated that the increase in lipid droplets (LDs) during cancer progression is related to increased cancer aggressiveness and chemotherapeutic resistance. Cannabinoids have been shown to exert anti‑tumorigenic activities, such as inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, accelerating apoptosis, and inhibiting cell migration and angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of MDA19 on phospholipase A2 group VII (PLA2G7), uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) and NEDD4 like E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (NEDD4L) proteins involved in the formation of LDs in DU145 and PC3 PCa cell lines. The IC₅₀ value of MDA19 determined using MTT assay was used to detect the protein expression levels of PLA2G7, UCP2 and NEDD4L by ELISA. It was observed that the protein levels of PLA2G7 and UCP2 decreased significantly (P<0.0001). However, the NEDD4L protein level increased significantly in a time‑dependent manner in the DU145 and PC3 PCa cell lines. The results of the present study indicate that MDA19 exerts an inhibitory effect on the protein expression levels of PLA2G7 and UCP2, which are involved in the formation LDs, and also exerts a promoting effect on the protein expression level of NEDD4L. Thus, MDA19, a bioactive cannabinoid analogue, may prove to useful as an alternative approach for the treatment of PCa. Further studies targeting cancer metabolism with cannabinoids and their derivatives are required to provide novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of cancer.