Phloroglucinol targets prostate cancer cells by inducing cytotoxic and apoptotic responses

The importance of naturally derived products in cancer treatment is well known. In recent years, studies on the activities of compounds isolated from such products against various cancer cells have gained momentum. Phlorotannins are oligomeric compounds found in brown algae, and phloroglucinol (1,3,4-trihydroxybenzene) is a phlorotannin isolated from Ecklonia species. Research has shown that phloroglucinol may have antithrombotic and profibrinolytic activities, as well as potential effectiveness in cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer activity of phloroglucinol on human prostate cancer cells. In this context, androgen-independent PC3 human prostate cancer cells were used, and the cytotoxic effect of phloroglucinol on these cells was evaluated using the MTT assay. Annexin V binding analysis was performed to assess the apoptotic effect. Phloroglucinol significantly reduced cell viability at concentrations of 1 mM and above at 24 and 48 hours and inhibited the cell cycle in the G2/M phase. Additionally, it was found that the compound significantly increased apoptotic cell population % in PC3 human prostate cancer cells at the IC50 concentration, inducing apoptosis. Phloroglucinol is a naturally derived compound, and there is limited research in the literature regarding its effectiveness in cancer. This study represents the first evaluation of the apoptotic activity of this compound in prostate cancer cells. Therefore, the findings of this study are crucial for guiding further research on this compound.