Dandelion Root Extract Affects the Proliferation, Survival and Migration of Cervical Cancer Cell Lines

Abstract

Background Taraxacum officinale has been shown to exert diverse biological activities, in someones cancer cell lines. Also in traditional medicine have been its used fresh latex to treat warts (non-malignant HPV infection); however, its effect over cervical cancer cell lines is yet to be explored. The aim was to evaluate the effects of a root extract of Taraxacum officinale on the proliferation, survival and migration of cervical cancer cell lines. Methods Ethanolic extract was obtained from T. officinale roots (R-EtOH). Caski (HPV16), HeLa (HPV18), C33A (HPV-) cervical cancer cell lines (CC) and keratinocytes HaCaT (HPV-) were used. Viability and inhibitory concentration values were determined by the MTT assay. Clonogenic assay was used to evaluate the survival. Effect on cell migration was evaluated by wound healing assay. Apoptotic response was observed using the TUNEL and Annexin V/7AAD assay. Results R-EtOH extract showed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on all cell lines. The number and size of the colonies, mainly in CC, decrease with higher concentrations of extract. R-EtOH effectively inhibits cell migration, and causes a higher percentage of apoptotic cells. Conclusion This study reports, for the first time, the antitumor potential of dandelion root extract (R-EtOH) on CC. Our results showed that R-EtOH affect proliferation, survival and cell migration. In addition, R-EtOH leads to apoptosis in all CC cells; thus, it is a promising extract for future studies which will allow to evaluate its usefulness in cervical cancer treatment as in other cancer types.