Isolation of a New Sesquiterpene Lactone From Vernonia Zeylanica (L) Less and its Anti-Proliferative Effects in Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Aqueous distillate of mature leaves of Vernonia zeylanica (L.) Less. and Mallotus repandus (Rottler) Müll. Arg. cued from traditional medicine exhibits rapid wound healing properties

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sri Lankan traditional medicine uses Vernonia zeylanica and Mallotus repandus broadly for the treatment of a multitude of disease conditions, including wound healing.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We aimed to scientifically validate the safety and efficacy of wound healing of an aqueous distillate of Vernonia zeylanica and Mallotus repandus (ADVM) mature leaves, tested on primary human dermal fibroblasts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human dermal fibroblasts isolated from clinical waste from circumcision surgery were characterized by flowcytometry and trilineage differentiation. The MTT dye reduction assay, and the ex vivo wound healing scratch assay established wound healing properties of ADVM using the primary human dermal fibroblast cell line. Upregulation of genes associated with wound healing (MMP3, COL3A1, TGFB1, FGF2) were confirmed by RT qPCR. GC-MS chromatography evaluated the phytochemical composition of ADVM.

RESULTS

Compared to the synthetic stimulant, β fibroblast growth factor, ADVM at 0.25% concentration on the primary dermal fibroblast cell line exhibited significant ex vivo, (i) 1.7-fold % cell viability (178.7% vs 304.3 %, p < 0.001), (ii) twofold greater % wound closure (%WC) potential (47.74% vs 80.11%, p < 0.001), and (iii) higher rate of % WC (3.251 vs 3.456 % WC/h, p < 0.05), sans cyto-genotoxicity. Up regulated expression of FGF2, TGFB1, COL3A1 and MMP3, genes associated with wound healing, confirmed effective stimulation of pathways of the three overlapping phases of wound healing (P < 0.05). GC-MS profile of ADVM characterized four methyl esters, which may be posited as wound healing phytochemicals.

CONCLUSIONS

Exceeding traditional medicine claims, the exvivo demonstration of rapid skin regeneration, reiterated by upregulated expression of genes related to wound healing pathways, sans cytotoxicity, propounds ADVM, cued from traditional medicine, as a potential safe and effective natural stimulant for rapid wound-healing. Additionally, it may serve as an effective proliferative stimulant of dermal fibroblasts for cell therapy, with potential in reparative and regenerative therapy of skin disorders.

Sesquiterpene lactones as emerging biomolecules to cease cancer by targeting apoptosis

Apoptosis is a programmed cell death comprising two signaling cascades including the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. This process has been shown to be involved in the therapy response of different cancer types, making it an effective target for treating cancer. Cancer has been considered a challenging issue in global health. Cancer cells possess six biological characteristics during their developmental process known as cancer hallmarks. Hallmarks of cancer include continuous growth signals, unlimited proliferation, resistance to proliferation inhibitors, apoptosis escaping, active angiogenesis, and metastasis. Sesquiterpene lactones are one of the large and diverse groups of planet-derived phytochemicals that can be used as sources for a variety of drugs. Some sesquiterpene lactones possess many biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-malarial, anticancer, anti-diabetic, and analgesic. This review article briefly overviews the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis and the interactions between the modulators of both pathways. Also, the present review summarizes the potential effects of sesquiterpene lactones on different modulators of the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis in a variety of cancer cell lines and animal models. The main purpose of the present review is to give a clear picture of the current knowledge about the pro-apoptotic effects of sesquiterpene lactones on various cancers to provide future direction in cancer therapeutics.

In-vitro cell migration enhancing and pro-angiogenic active secondary metabolites from Jeffreycia zeylanica (L.) H. Rob., S.C. Keeley & Skvarla (Asteraceae)

Jeffreycia zeylanica (L.) H. Rob., S. C. Keeley & Skvarla is used for the treatment of wounds in indigenous medicine practiced in Sri Lanka. The scratch wound assay (SWA) guided fractionation of hexanes extract of J. zeylanica led to the isolation of ethuliacoumarin (1), stigmasterol (2), β-amyrin (3) and lupeol (4) and a non-resolved triterpene alcohol mixture HF5D1, all of which showed enhanced cell migration. The mixture HF5D1 contained glut-5-en-3β-ol (5) and friedelin-3β-ol (6). The identities of compounds 1-6 were established by the analysis of spectroscopic data and comparison of them with those reported. The compounds 1-4 and the non-resolved triterpene alcohol mixture, HF5D1 also exhibited significant proangiogenic response in chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay in addition to the enhanced cell migration. This is the first report of the occurrence of the compounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 in this plant.

In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the Hydroethanolic Extract of the Roots of Vernonia guineensis (Asteraceae)

In traditional Cameroonian medicine, to relieve many inflammations, parts of Vernonia guineensis, are very widely used. This study considered the evaluation of acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory properties of the hydroethanolic extract of the roots of Vernonia guineensis. In an acute toxicity study, 250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg were administered orally to mice in a single dose, and general behavior, adverse effects, and mortality were monitored. In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory tests were performed, and then histological, serum, hematological, and oxidative stress parameters have been evaluated. In an acute toxicity, all groups revealed neither mortality nor any significant alteration in behavior; only drowsiness, sedation, and lethargy were observed at 5000 mg/kg. For in vitro tests, the extract inhibited anti-inflammatory activity. In the formalin test, at 250 mg/kg, the extract inhibited edema with a percentage of 56.41% (4^th hour) in an acute treatment and 74.44% (10^th day). Joint edema was reduced by 67.24% (24^th hour) in a single treatment and by 74.25% (7^th day) in repeated treatment. The extract caused an increase in red blood cell, hemoglobin, and serum protein levels and reduced the white blood cells as well as the activities of alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase. The extract modulated oxidative stress parameters in the brain, spinal cord, liver, and kidneys. The extract protected the joint by reducing the bone and cartilage erosion. The present work highlights the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antianemic properties of the hydroethanolic extract of the roots of Vernonia guineensis, which supports its empirical use in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory pathologies.

Review On Documented Medicinal Plants Used For The Treatment Of Cancer

Background:

Cancer is a frightful disease and it is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Naturally derived compounds are gaining interest of research workers as they have less toxic side effects as compared to currently used treatments such as chemotherapy. Plants are the pool of chemical compounds which provides a promising future for research on cancer.

Objective:

This review paper provides updated information gathered on medicinal plants and isolated phytoconstituents used as anticancer agents and summarises the plant extracts and their isolated chemical constituents exhibiting anticancer potential on clinical trials.

Methods:

An extensive bibliographic investigation was carried out by analysing worldwide established scientific databases like SCOPUS, PUBMED, SCIELO, ScienceDirect, Springerlink, Web of Science, Wiley, SciFinder and Google Scholar etc. In next few decades, herbal medicine may become a new epoch of medical system.

Results:

Many researches are going on medicinal plants for the treatment of cancer but it is a time to increase further experimental studies on plant extracts and their chemical constituents to find out their mechanism of action at molecular level.

Conclusion:

The article may help many researchers to start off further experimentation that might lead to the drugs for the cancer treatment.

Anti-inflammatory effect of leaves of Vernonia zeylanica in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and carrageenan-induced rat paw-edema model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Vernonia zeylanica (L.) Less (Family: Compositae) is a medicinal plant used as external applications for boils, bone fractures, eczema and internally for asthma in traditional medicine in Sri Lanka. Anti-nociceptive, anti-bacterial and anti-proliferative activities have been reported previously.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of methanol/dichloromethane extract (MDE) of leaves of V. zeylanica by assessing in vivo inhibition of rat paw-edema, in vitro inhibition of the production of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide and inhibitory effect on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of MDE was tested at the dose of 1500 mg/kg using rat paw-edema model. Indomethacin and Gum acacia was used as the positive and vehicle control respectively. In vitro NO inhibitory activity of 7.8-250 μg/ml MDE was tested using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated (1 μg/ml) mouse macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) and rat peritoneal cells (RPC) obtained following carrageenan-induction (5 mg/Kg). Griess method was used to quantify the nitrite levels in culture supernatants. In vitro inhibition of superoxide production of Phorbal 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated RAW cells was determined by quantitative Nitroblue Tetrazolium (NBT) assay. N-monomethyl-L-arginine acetate (NMMA) (1 mM) and Diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) (10 μM) were used as the positive controls for inhibitory activity of NO and superoxide production respectively. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was carried out to test the inhibitory effect on mRNA expression of iNOS gene.

RESULTS

Treatment with MDE of V. zeylanica at 1500 mg/kg showed significant inhibition of paw-edema from 1st-5th hour (P < 0.01) compared with the control. The reference drug, indomethacin showed a biphasic pattern and its highest inhibition was (98.3 ± 7.1%) at 4th h (P < 0.01). MDE of V. zeylanica showed similar inhibition of paw-edema with highest inhibition recorded as 94.5 ± 5.28%, at 5th h (P < 0.01). The inhibitory concentration (IC50) of MDE for in vitro NO inhibitory activity was 105 μg/ml for RAW cells and 80 μg/ml for RPCs. Both NO inhibitory activities showed significant dose-dependency (r = 0.998 and r = 0.915 respectively; p < 0.05). MDE concentration of 250 μg/ml showed 55% inhibition of ROS production in RAW cells. NMMA showed 78% and 70.1% inhibition of NO production with RAW cells and RPCs whereas DPI showed 61% superoxide inhibitory activity with RAW cells. NO inhibitory activity of MDE on RAW cells was confirmed by the significant reduction (99.1%) in iNOS gene expression.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory activity of MDE of V. zeylanica reflected by its significant in vivo inhibition of rat paw-edema, in vitro inhibition of NO and superoxide production, and the reduction of iNOS gene expression. Thus, further purification and isolation of bioactive compounds from V. zeylanica are emphasized.

Furanocoumarin A: A Novel Anticancer Agent on Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells from Fructus liquidambaris

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The fruit of Fructus liquidambaris, which is recently being used for cancer treatment, has a history to be used as a traditional medicine in China for thousands of years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten kg of dried F. liquidambaris was obtained with 70% alcohol-water solution under reflux for three times. The condensed extract was obtained from petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and N-butyl alcohol, respectively. Ethyl acetate extract was subjected to silica gel column, Sephadex LH-20, ODS column chromatography and RP-HPLC column chromatography to yield a new compound (1). The structure was identified through intensive analysis of NMR and MS spectra. The antitumor mechanism of the furanocoumarin A on human lung cancer A549 cells was confirmed by detecting the apoptosis-related proteins.

RESULTS

Furanocoumarin A (1), a novel furanocoumarin constituent was isolated and identified from F. Liquidambaris. The IC50 value of furanocoumarin A on A549 cell lines was 65.28±5.36µM obtained by the method of MTT. The compound could induce the apoptosis of A549 cells by inducing 21.5% early apoptosis and 32.4% late apoptosis at the concentration of 60µmol/L. Western blot analysis indicated that protein expressions of p53, caspase 3 and Bax increased in a dose-dependent manner between the concentrations from 40 to 80µM. The protein expression of Bcl-2 decreased the concentration of 60 and 80µM. The ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax was inversely proportional to the dose concentration.

CONCLUSION

Furanocoumarin A could be a novel anticancer agent from herbal medicine.

Vernolactone Promotes Apoptosis and Autophagy in Human Teratocarcinomal (NTERA-2) Cancer Stem-Like Cells

Vernonia zeylanica, is a shrub endemic to Sri Lanka. V. zeylanica has been used in Sri Lankan traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases and conditions. The present study was designed to determine antiproliferative, apoptotic, autophagic, and antioxidant effects of vernolactone, isolated from V. zeylanica, in human embryonal carcinoma cells (NTERA-2, a cancer stem cell model). Antiproliferative effects of vernolactone in NTERA-2 cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (control cells) were evaluated using the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay and WST-1 antiproliferative assays, respectively. The antiproliferative effect of vernolactone was further investigated using the colony formation assay. Effects of vernolactone on apoptosis were investigated by phase contrast light microscopic and fluorescence microscopic analysis, caspase 3/7 expression, and real-time PCR of apoptosis-associated genes p53 and Survivin. The effect of vernolactone on NTERA-2 cell migration was monitored using the wound healing assay. Effects of vernolactone on the expression of autophagy-related genes (LC3, Beclin 1, PI3K, Akt, and mTOR) were evaluated using real-time PCR. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were also carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity of vernolactone. Overall results confirm that vernolactone can exert antiproliferative effects, induce apoptosis and autophagy, and decrease NTERA-2 cell migration in a dose- and time-dependent manner with a very small antioxidant property.