Suppression of human cervical cancer cell lines Hela and DoTc2 4510 by a mixture of lysine, proline, ascorbic acid, and green tea extract.

Cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in women, once metastasized, leads to poor prognosis. We investigated the antitumor effect of a nutrient mixture (NM) containing lysine, proline, arginine, ascorbic acid, and green tea extract on human cervical cancer cells Hela (CCL-2) and DoTc2 4510 by measuring cell proliferation (MTT assay), modulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9) expression (gelatinase zymography), and cancer cell invasive potential (Matrigel). NM showed significant antiproliferative effect on CCL-2 and DoTc2 4510 cancer cells. The NM inhibited CCL-2 expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in a dose-dependent fashion, with virtual total inhibition of MMP-2 at 1000 microg/mL and MMP-9 at 500 microg/mL NM. Untreated DoTc2 4510 cells showed MMP-9 expression, which was enhanced with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment. NM inhibited MMP-9 expression in a dose-dependent fashion, with virtual inhibition at 500 microg/mL. Invasion of human cervical cancer cells CCL-2 and DoTc2 4510 through Matrigel decreased in a dose-dependent fashion, with 100% inhibition at 500 microg/mL NM (P < 0.0001) and 1000 microg/mL NM (P < 0.0001), respectively. Our results suggest that the mixture of lysine, proline, arginine, ascorbic acid, and green tea extract has potential in the treatment of cervical cancer by inhibiting critical steps in cancer development and spread.