Angelica sylvestris and Delphinium staphisagria Extracts Induces Antiproliferation through Caspase-mediated Apoptosis on Human Cancer Cells

Abstract: Angelica sylvestris and Delphinium staphisagria are medicinal and aromatic herbs with a long history in medicine and food industry. In this study, we have investigated anti-cancer activity of Angelica sylvestris and Delphinium staphisagria extracts on various cell lines of lung (A549), breast (MCF-7), colon (HT-29), and cervix (HeLa) origin. Also, cytotoxicity was tested on human healthy bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells. In vitro experiments showed that plant extracts suppressed cell growth and proliferation at low concentrations by reducing cell viability on cancer cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner. It was observed that Angelica sylvestris was more effective in HT-29 and HeLa cells and Delphinium staphisagria in A549 and MCF-7 cells by suppressing cell proliferation and increasing cell death. Cell death mode (apoptosis/necrosis) was investigated via fluorescent imaging, caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18, activated caspase-3, and cleaved-PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase). In order to evaluate the cell death mode by plant extracts apoptotic markers were investigated by fluorescence staining. Delphinium staphisagria extract (50-200 µg/mL) caused a decrease in cell density in A549 and MCF-7 cells compared to untreated controls. A similar situation was observed in HT-29 and HeLa cell lines when treated with ASE. As a result, Delphinium staphisagria extracts induced apoptosis in A549 and MCF-7, while Angelica sylvestris extracts induced apoptosis in HT-29 and HeLa cancer cells.

Lichens exerts an anti-proliferative effect on human breast and lung cancer cells through induction of apoptosis.

Successful cancer treatment still requires new complexes or compounds from natural sources. Therefore, we investigated anti-growth/apoptotic effects of methanol extracts of the lichen species (Xanthoparmelia somloensis (Gleyn.) Hale, Usnea intermedia (A. Massal.) Jatta, Bryoria capillaris (Ach.) Brodo & D. Hawksw and Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm.) on human lung (A549, H1299) and breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) cancer cell lines. Anti-growth effects were monitored by the MTT and ATP viability assays. Cell death mode was evaluated by employing the fluorescence staining of nucleus, caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18 detection, caspase 3/7 activity assay, Anneksin V cytofluorimetric assay and mitochondria membrane potential assay. Among the lichen extracts, Usnea intermedia exhibited strong anti-growth activity in a dose-dependent manner (1.56-100 µg/ml) compared to the others. Usnea intermedia was especially cytotoxic against MDA-MB-231 and H1299 cells (IC50 value for was found 3.0 and 10.2 µg/ml respectively). The cytotoxicity was resulted from apoptosis as proved by the presence of pyknotic nuclei, caspase 3/7 activity, phosphatidylserine translocation and loss of mitochondria membrane potential. In conclusion, Usnea intermedia warrants for further in vivo evaluation as a new alternative in cancer treatment.

Toxicity assessment of Hypericum olympicum subsp. olympicum L. on human lymphocytes and breast cancer cell lines.

There is a limited number of studies about the constituents of Hypericum olympicum subsp. olympicum and its genotoxic and cytotoxic potency. We examined the possible antigenotoxic/genotoxic properties of methanolic extract of H. olympicum subsp. olympicum (HOE) on human lymphocytes by employing sister chromatid exchange, micronucleus and comet assay and analyzed its chemical composition by GCxGC-TOF/MS. The anti-growth activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines was assessed by using the ATP viability assay. Cell death mode was investigated with fluorescence staining and ELISA assays. The major components of the flower and trunk were determined as eicosane, heptacosane, 2-propen-1-ol, hexahydrofarnesyl acetone and α-muurolene. HOE caused significant DNA damage at selected doses (250-750 µg/ml) while chromosomal damage was observed at higher concentrations (500 and 750 µg/ml). HOE demonstrated anti-growth activity in a dose-dependent manner between 3.13-100 µg/ml. Pyknotic nuclei were observed at 100 µg/ml concentration of HOE in both cell lines. In conclusion, HOE demonstrated cytotoxic effects in a cell type-dependent manner, however its genotoxic effects were observed at relatively higher doses.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of an endemic plant of Turkey Salvia kronenburgii on breast cancer cell lines.

CONTEXT: The natural products derived from plants are the important sources that can be used for breast cancer treatment. Salvia species and their derived products were recommended as potential antitumor substances. AIM: The potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of Salvia kronenburgii have been investigated on breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Determination of chemical compounds of S. kronenburgii was done using a gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry system and a dual-stage commercial thermal desorption injector. Growth inhibition of the S. kronenburgii was measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and ATP viability assays. The cell death mode was detected by fluorescent dyes. Genotoxic effect of S. kronenburgii was measured by comet assay. RESULTS: S. kronenburgii showed antiproliferative effect in a dose-dependent manner on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines by inducing apoptosis-like cell death. The pyknotic cell nuclei were observed at the cell lines in response to S. kronenburgii. Furthermore, significant increase was shown in genetic damage index and frequencies in the damaged cells. CONCLUSION: S. kronenburgii might be a promising natural source for cancer therapy. Further experiments need to be done in vivo to understand of the anticancer effects of this plant.

Quantification of DNA damage products by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in lung cell lines and prevention effect of thyme antioxidants on oxidative induced DNA damage.

Lung cancer has a high treatment cost and poor prognosis in comparison to other types of cancers. This work was involved in studying oxidative DNA base damage inhibition. Accordingly, standard carvacrol, thymol, thymoquinone with water and water-methanol extract of thyme (Origanum vulgare L. subsp. hirtum (link.) Ietswaart), thyme oil and thyme water were prepared and investigated for their efficacy to inhibit DNA oxidative damage formed by H2O2 in malignant lung cells (A549). The antioxidant capacity by ABTS assay was 271.73 ±â€¯11.45 mg trolox equivalent/mL for thyme oil. HPLC analysis was carried out to determine the contents of different thyme extracts, results showing the presence of carvacrol, thymol, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, epicatechin and rosmarinic acid in water and water-methanol extracts while only carvacrol and thymol were found in thyme oil and thyme water. After DNA isolation from the cultured cells, the formed oxidative induced DNA damage products were analysed using GC-MS/MS. It was proven that the antioxidants in the cell culture media have succeeded to inhibit oxidative DNA base damage. Thymoquinone was shown to be the best protectant antioxidant among other antioxidants against the formation of oxidative DNA damage, whereas water-methanol extract of thyme was the best among the plant-sourced samples. Thymoquinone and thyme water-methanol extract were investigated for their efficacy on cultured healthy lung cells (BEAS-2B), and it was proven that they are efficient in protection against the oxidation of DNA of healthy lung cells too.

The MTT viability assay yields strikingly false-positive viabilities although the cells are killed by some plant extracts.

The MTT assay is one of the often used cell viability/cytotoxicity assays. However, when the methanol extracts of plants are used to test their cytotoxic potential, interference may occur, resulting in false-positive viability results. Therefore, in this study, the reliability of the MTT assay was investigated in the case of plant use. The methanol extracts of three different plants (Hypericum adenotrichum, Salvia kronenburgii, and Pelargonium quercetorum) were tested in breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) using the MTT assay and the results were compared to the ATP assay, which is a much more sensitive and reliable assay due to its interference-free feature. Additionally, decreased cell density was confirmed with phase-contrast microscopy and fluorescence staining (Hoechst 33342 dye). Although both of the viability/cytotoxicity assays are considered as metabolic assays, viabilities (in %) in the MTT assay were found to be strikingly higher when compared to the results with the ATP assay. Even in the case of total death, the MTT assay still produced artificial/false increases in viability. The morphology-based evaluation of viability/cytotoxicity by phase-contrast microscopy and Hoechst 33342 staining were greatly compatible with the ATP assay results. Overestimated (false) viabilities in the MTT assay suggests a serious interference between the MTT assay itself and the extracts used. Some ingredients of plants may have reducing activity (like the dehydrogenase activity of the cells) that converts the MTT compound into the colored formazan that is the principle of the assay. Therefore, the MTT assay may not be a suitable assay for some plant extracts, urging great caution when plants are used.

Pelargonium quercetorum Agnew induces apoptosis without PARP or cytokeratin 18 cleavage in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines.

Pelargonium species have various uses in folk medicine as traditional remedies, and several of them have been screened for their biological activity, including anticancer. Pelargonium quercetorum Agnew (P. quercetorum) is traditionally used for its anthelminthic activity. However, little is known about its biological activity or its effect on cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to determine the cytotoxic activity of P. quercetorum extract on lung cancer cell lines with varying properties. Following the analyses of its chemical composition, the cytotoxic activity was screened by the adenosine triphosphate viability test. M30-Apoptosense® and M65 EpiDeath® enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to determine the cell death mode (apoptosis vs. necrosis). For apoptosis, additional methods, including Annexin-V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and Hoechst 33342 staining, were employed. The cleavage of poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was assayed by western blotting to further dissect the apoptosis mechanism. The methanol extract of P. quercetorum caused cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner. The mode of cell death was apoptosis, as evidenced by the positive staining of the cells for Annexin-V-FITC and the presence of pyknotic nuclei. Notably, neither PARP cleavage nor cytokeratin 18 fragmentation were observed. P.quercetorum caused cell death by an apoptosis mechanism that is slightly different from classical apoptosis. Therefore, future in vivo experiments are required for further understanding of the effect of this plant on cancer cells.

Evaluation of genotoxic and apoptotic potential of Hypericum adenotrichum Spach. in vitro.

Hypericum adenotrichum Spach. is an endemic plant from Turkey that is also used in folk medicine. In this study, following analyses of its chemical composition, the genotoxic/antigenotoxic effects of the methanol extract of H. adenotrichum in human lymphocyte culture were investigated using in vitro sister chromatid exchange, micronucleus and comet assays. In addition, the anti-growth effect of the extract was investigated in human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) using MTT and ATP viability assays. The mode of cell death was determined using fluorescence microscopy and biochemical methods. We found that the H. adenotrichum extract demonstrated cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in a cell type-dependent manner. At selected doses (125-500 µg/ml), the H. adenotrichum extract exhibited significant genotoxic activity in human lymphocytes, whereas it showed anti-growth effects on cancer cell lines between 0.2 and 100 µg/ml concentrations. The mode of cell death in cancer cells was shown to be apoptosis due to the presence of pyknotic nuclei, the cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and/or the activation of caspase-3. These results suggest that H. adenotrichum might show both cytotoxic and genotoxic effects depending on the cell type. This should be taken into account in its use for therapeutic purposes.

Combination of fenretinide and indole-3-carbinol results in synergistic cytotoxic activity inducing apoptosis against human breast cancer cells in vitro.

The outcome in patients with breast cancer is not satisfactory to date, although new chemotherapy regimens have been introduced in clinics. Therefore, novel approaches are required for better management of patients with breast cancer. In this study, we tested the cytotoxic activity of a new combination of fenretinide, a synthetic retinoid, with indole-3-carbinol, a natural product present in vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage, against MCF-7 (estrogen receptor-positive) and MDA-MB-231 (estrogen receptor-negative) cell lines. It has been found that the combination resulted in more powerful cytotoxic activity, by induction of apoptosis, compared with that when they were used singly. In conclusion, this novel combination warrants in-vivo experiments to elucidate its possible use in the treatment of breast cancer.