β-Carotene

β-Carotene (Provitamin A), a carotenoid compound, is a naturally-occurring vitamin A precursor. β-Carotene is a modulator of reactive oxygen species (ROS), with antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities. β-Carotene may serve as an antioxidant or as a prooxidant, depending on its intrinsic properties as well as on the redox potential of the biological environment in which it acts. β-Carotene induces breast cancer cells apoptosis, with anticancer activities^{[1][2][3][4][5]}. IC50 & Target: PPAR-γ, ROS, apoptosis^[3] In Vitro: β-Carotene up-regulates PPAR-γ expression and ROS production in MCF-7 cancer cells^[3].
β-Carotene (1-100 μM; 72 hours) remarkably decreases the survival of MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner^[3].
β-Carotene (50 μM; 24-72 hours) significantly enhances the expression levels of PPAR-γ mRNA and protein in a time-dependent manner^[3].
β-Carotene down-regulates the COX-2 but up-regulates the p21 mRNA level and protein expression in a time dependent manner^[3].
β-Carotene significantly increases the percentage of early apoptosis and the effect was partly attenuated by pre-incubation with GW9662 (HY-16578) or GSH (HY-D0187)^[3].
β-Carotene induces cytochrome C release^[3].