Characterization of Bizzy Nut extracts in estrogen-responsive MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Molecular and Biochemical Effects of a Kola Nut Extract on Androgen Receptor-Mediated Pathways

“…As an initial step in identifying and characterizing medicinally relevant, putative, selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) present in Bizzy nut, we performed solid-liquid extraction using solvents of increasing polarity. We screened each extract for bioactivity using several in vitro assays that were designed to reveal if any of the extracts contained androgenic or estrogenic activity [22]. We determined whether an ether extract of Bizzy nut (Biz-2) was capable of modulating prostate function by exerting its effect on PSA secretion by LNCaP cells.…”

“…The corresponding attached cells were extracted using RIPA buffer (Pierce Biotechnology, Rockford, Ill, USA), and stored at −80°C until used. The ether extract of Bizzy nut (Biz-2) was prepared as previously described [22]. …”

“…Given the hormonal dependency of some of these biological activities, it is possible that nonsteroidal androgen present in Bizzy nut extracts be responsible for the medicinal value attributed to it. Recently, we identified several hormonally active extracts of Bizzy nut that were capable of inhibiting the growth of different cancer cell lines [22]. …”

Promising Efficacy of the <i>Cola acuminata</i> Plant: A Mini Review

“…Research from our lab showed that of the five solvents used (hexane, dichloromethane, acetone, methanol and water), the hexane bissy nut extract was most effective as it (160 µg/ml) killed 100% of breast (BC) and prostate (DU-145 and PC) cancer cell lines [22]. Further, research has shown that extracts from the bissy nut were cytotoxic against MCF-7 cell line [23] while Edrini and others [16] showed that reduction in cell viability of the cell line was through apoptosis (at 60 µg/ml) in which case less cells were present in the S and G2 phase of the cell cycle when compared to the positive control. Bissy nut was also shown to reduce the viability of LNCaP and DU145 with growth inhibition (GI50) of 15 ppm and 3.6 ppm respectively [24].…”

“…It also has higher levels of alkaloids, tannins and saponins than Cola nitida [35]. The phenolics and anthocyanins are likely to provide antioxidant activity [35] and the some of the active ingredients have been identified as non-steroidal compounds that are bioactive against prostate and breast cancer cells [23] [24] and so these compounds could be responsible for the observed bioactivity against breast and prostate cancer cell lines. The tannic acid in the kola nuts helps to precipitate a number of toxins in the gut preventing their absorption [22] hence its traditional use as an antidote.…”