Publications

Abstract : Melanoma is the least common but most fatal form of skin cancer. An essential step in melanoma cell migration, invasion, and metastasis is the degradation of basement membranes and extracellular matrix. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors play a crucial role in these complex multistep processes. We investigated the effect of extract from coconut (Cocos nucifera) shell on human melanoma cell line A375. The coconut shell extract was fractionated and the bioactivity screening was carried out. The ethyl methyl ketone (EMK) extract, which was identified as being most potent was further purified to yield two main subfractions (F1 and F2). Comparative studies with gelatin zymography demonstrated that the ‘F1’ significantly down regulated the gelatinolytic activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Similarly ,the gene expression studies with ‘F1’ showed down regulation of MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF and COX-2 all of which play key roles in metastasis, angiogenesis and tumor promoting inflammation. Further, studies confirmed that ‘F1’ inhibited migration and caused arrest at G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Susequently, the structural characterization by LC-MS/MS and NMR studies determined the active fraction, ‘F1’to be oxyresveratrol, a stilbenoid. Thus, we report for the first time the isolation and characterization of the compound, oxyresveratrol from coconut shell and also show its regulation of MMPs in human melanoma which suggests its therapeutic potential in cancer.