Costunolide Induces Apoptosis Through Nuclear Calcium2+Overload and DNA Damage Response in Human Prostate Cancer

Data suggest that costunolide induces the depletion of intracellular thiols and overload of nuclear Ca(2+) that cause DNA damage and p21 up-regulation. The association of p21 with the cyclin dependent kinase 2/cyclin E complex blocks cyclin dependent kinase 2 activity and inhibits Rb phosphorylation, leading to G1 arrest of the cell cycle and subsequent apoptotic cell death in human prostate cancer cells.