Bulbophyllum sterile petroleum ether fraction induces apoptosis in vitro and ameliorates tumor progression in vivo.

Orchids of the genus Bulbophyllum have been reported to possess antitumor activity. Present study investigated the possible antitumor activity of the active fraction of bulb and root of Bulbophyllum sterile. Alcoholic extract along with petroleum ether, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions were subjected to SRB assay in HCT-116, MDA-MB-231 and A549 cell lines. The active fractions were further evaluated for apoptosis, expression of apoptotic signaling proteins, comet assay and cell cycle analysis. Furthermore, they were assessed for in vivo antitumor activity in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma model. Petroleum fraction of bulbs (PFB) and roots (PFR) was found to be most active in HCT-116 cell lines with IC50 value of 94.2±6.0 and 75.7±9.8, respectively. Apoptosis was evident from acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining along with the expression of phospho-p53 and phospho-Bad. Both PFB and PFR arrested G2/M phase of the cell cycle with 32.6% and 49.4% arrest, respectively compared to 17.5% arrest with control. An increase in mean life span and hepatic antioxidant levels was observed with PFB and PFR treatment in EAC inoculated mice. The results suggested that the active fractions of bulbs and roots possess anticancer activity likely by inducing apoptosis through phospho-p53 dependent pathway.

Evaluation of antioxidant and anticancer activity of extract and fractions of Nardostachys jatamansi DC in breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Nardostachys jatamansi DC is a Himalayan medicinal herb that has been described in various traditional systems of medicine for its use in cancer. In view of its traditional claims, and chemical constituents, antioxidant and anticancer activities were evaluated in breast carcinoma. METHODS: Petroleum ether (NJPE), methanol extract (NJM) and subsequent diethyl ether (NJDE), ethyl acetate (NJEA) and aqueous (NJAQ) fractions of roots and rhizomes of N. jatamansi were prepared. Total phenolic, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities were determined using suitable methods. Antiproliferative activity was assessed in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive (MCF-7) and ER-negative breast carcinoma (MDA-MB-231) cells by MTT and SRB assay. Cell cycle analysis, Hoechst staining, and clonogenic assay were employed to determine the mode of antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activity in MDA-MB-231 cells. RESULTS: NJM/fractions exhibited prominent antioxidant activity with significant correlation between phenolic content and ABTS (IC50) scavenging (R = -0.9680, P < 0.05), and total antioxidant capacity (R = 0.8396, P > 0.05). In MTT assay, NJM exhibited the highest antiproliferative activity (IC50: 58.01 ± 6.13 and 23.83 ± 0.69 µg/mL in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 respectively). Among the fractions, NJPE and NJDE were found to be most potent in MCF-7 (IC50: 60.59 ± 4.78 µg/mL) and MDA-MB-231 (IC50: 25.04 ± 0.90 µg/mL) cells respectively. Statistical analyses revealed NJM and NJDE exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-231 cells. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that NJM, NJPE and NJEA caused G2/M arrest while NJDE caused G0/G1 phase arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells. Further, NJM/fractions induced significant (P < 0.001) cell death by apoptosis characterized by apoptotic morphological changes in Hoechst staining and inhibited long-term proliferation (P < 0.001) of MDA-MB-231 cells in clonogenic assay. Lupeol and ß-sitosterol were identified as anticancer principles in NJM/fractions by HPTLC. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that NJM/fractions possess significant antiproliferative potential which is mediated through cell cycle perturbation and pro-apoptotic effects in MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, this study highlights the antioxidant potential of NJM/fractions which can be attributed to the presence of phenols. NJDE emerged as the most potent fraction and further mechanistic and phytochemical investigations are under way to identify the active principles.

Protective effects of aqueous extract of Solanum nigrum Linn. leaves in rat models of oral mucositis.

Oral mucositis is one of the most debilitating side effects in patient undergoing chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Leaves of the plant Solanum nigrum are used in folklore medicine to treat oral ulcers in India. However, no pharmacological investigation has been carried out till date. Aqueous extract of Solanum nigrum leaves (AESN) was prepared and subjected to various phytochemical screening. HPLC analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction was carried out. The aqueous extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) was further evaluated for its protective effect on two rat models: (a) busulfan plus infrared radiation (chemoradiotherapy) induced oral mucositis and (b) methotrexate (chemotherapy) induced oral mucositis. Various parameters including body weight change, food intake, and mortality were measured. AESN showed protective effect in both models of oral mucositis; however, the higher dose was more effective in chemotherapy induced oral mucositis. A reduction in oral mucositis score (P < 0.05) was observed in the treatment groups. Significant (P < 0.05) improvement in food intake was also observed in AESN treated groups. Aqueous extract of Solanum nigrum leaves has protective effect on chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy induced oral mucositis in rats.