Anti-tumor properties of cis-resveratrol methylated analogs in metastatic mouse melanoma cells

Resveratrol (E-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a polyphenol found in red wine that has been shown to have multiple anti-cancer properties. Although cis-(Z)-and trans-(E)-isomers of resveratrol occur in nature, the cis form is not biologically active. However, methylation at key positions of the cis form results in more potent anti-cancer properties. This study determined that synthetic cis-polymethoxystilbenes (methylated analogs of cis-resveratrol) inhibited cancer-related phenotypes of metastatic B16 F10 and nonmetastatic B16 F1 mouse melanoma cells. In contrast with cis-or trans-resveratrol and trans-polymethoxystilbene which were ineffective at 10 mu M, cis-polymethoxystilbenes inhibited motility and proliferation of melanoma cells with low micromolar specificity (IC50 < 10 mu M). Inhibitory effects by cis-polymethoxystilbenes were significantly stronger with B16 F10 cells and were accompanied by decreased expression of beta-tubulin and pleckstrin homology domain-interacting protein, a marker of metastatic B16 cells. Thus, cis-polymethoxystilbenes have potential as chemotherapeutic agents for metastatic melanoma.