α-Carotene 

α-Carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, is used as an anti-metastatic agent or as an adjuvant for anti-cancer agents. α-Carotene is isolated from yellow-orange and dark-green vegetables^[1][2].

α-Carotene (0.5-2.5 μM; 24 hours) significantly increases protein expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in a concentration-dependent manner in LLC cells. AC (0.5-2.5 μM) significantly increases PAI-1 protein expression. α-Carotene (2.5 μM) also significantly inhibits integrin β1-mediated phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) which then decreased the phosphorylation of MAPK family^[2].
α-Carotene (0.5, 1, 2.5 μM; 48 hours) significantly and concentration-dependently inhibits invasion of LLC during 48 h of incubation^[2].
α-Carotene (0.5, 1, 2.5 μM; 24 hours) significantly decreases activities of MMP-9, -2 and uPA in concentration-dependent manner in LLC cells^[2].
α-Carotene (2, 5, 10 μM; 7 days) inhibits the proliferation of the human neuroblastoma cell line GOTO in a dose- and time-dependent manner. α-Carotene (5 μM; 48 hours) halts the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase concomitantly with a reduction in the mRNA expression of the protooncogene N-Myc^[3].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

α-Carotene (5 mg/kg; oral; twice a week; for additional 3 weeks) alone significantly decreases lung metastasis without affecting primary tumor growth^[2].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

536.87

C₄₀H₅₆

7488-99-5

Solid

Reddish brown to red

CC1(C)[C@@H](/C=C/C(C)=C/C=C/C(C)=C/C=C/C=C(C)/C=C/C=C(C)/C=C/C2=C(C)CCCC2(C)C)C(C)=CCC1

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.

* Please refer to the solubility information to select the appropriate solvent. Once prepared, please aliquot and store the solution to prevent product inactivation from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Storage method and period of stock solution: -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month. When stored at -80°C, please use it within 6 months. When stored at -20°C, please use it within 1 month.

• [1]. Bushway, R.J., et al. Determination of α- and β-carotene in fruit and vegetables by high performance liquid chromatography. Can. Inst. Food Sci. Technol. J. 15(3), 165-169 (1982).  [Content Brief]

  [2]. Liu YZ, et al. Alpha-carotene inhibits metastasis in Lewis lung carcinoma in vitro, and suppresses lungmetastasis and tumor growth in combination with taxol in tumor xenografted C57BL/6 mice. J Nutr Biochem. 2015 Jun;26(6):607-15.  [Content Brief]

  [3]. Murakoshi M, et al. Inhibitory effects of alpha-carotene on proliferation of the human neuroblastoma cell line GOTO. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1989 Nov 1;81(21):1649-52.  [Content Brief]