Evaluation of toxicity and antioxidative effects of Tussilago farfara and Verbascum thapsus water extracts in zebrafish and in bronchial epithelial cells

Abstract

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot) and Verbascum thapsus (mullein) have been used as folk remedies for treating respiratory disorders. The aim of this study was to test the toxicity of the water extracts of T. farfara and V. thapsus in vivo in zebrafish and in vitro in BEAS 2B epithelial bronchial cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the antioxidative properties of T. farfara and V. thapsus extracts in cell culture. Our results show that the T. farfara leaf extract does not produce toxic effects on zebrafish embryos or BEAS 2B cells, and that it has a protective effect in BEAS 2B after induction of oxidative stress. The water extract from V. thapsus displayed pronounced toxic effects on zebrafish embryos and BEAS 2B cells and did not exhibit a significant antioxidative effect on BEAS 2B cells exposed to oxidative stress. Our results suggest that the use of T. farfara water leaf extract is potentially safe and effective in treating respiratory disorders, whereas the use of V. thapsus needs further investigation. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. ON173008]

Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized with Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and Castor Bean (Ricinus communis) Ethanolic Extracts Displayed Antiproliferative Effects and Induced Caspase 3 Activity in Human HT29 and SW480 Cancer Cells

“…The ability with which metallic nanoparticles can destroy cancer cells partially depends on the stimulation of ROS in the damaged components of the cells [ 62 , 63 ]. The generation of a ROS response in both cell lines after AuNPsME treatments supports other findings indicating that the sole ME treatment alters the production of superoxide anion in selected cell lines [ 53 ]. Verbascum calvum flower extracts were assayed against human lung A549 and breast MCF-7 cancer cells, showing antiproliferative effects attributed to ROS generation and pro-inflammatory effects [ 64 ].…”

“…Only a few reports have tested the safety of ME in selected models. For instance, Dragičevic et al [ 53 ] suggested that V. thapsus flowers aqueous extracts, prepared at 1:10 flower:water maceration, further rotary evaporator-mediated concentration up to 36 µg/mL, and dilutions starting from 1000× (0.036 µg/mL), did not induce malformations in zebrafish embryo, but viabilities in the range of 57.9–67.3% in human lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) suggested certain toxic effects that merit further research. Other authors reported that 50–200 µg/mL V. thapsus aqueous leaves extracts are safe in mice RAW264.7 macrophages and human adult chondrocytes (HC) [ 54 ].…”

Effects of Chemotherapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer on the TGF-β Signaling and Related miRNAs hsa-miR-17-5p, hsa-miR-21-5p and hsa-miR-93-5p

“…Same concentrations were used in single and combined treatments 5-FU/oxaliplatin (FOX) and 5-FU/irinotecan (FIRI). The decrease in cell viability by 50% under combined chemotherapeutic drug concentrations was confirmed by MTT assay according to previously described protocol [29]. SW620 cells were seeded in 6-well plates at 2 × 10 5 density and treated on the next day.…”

The plants traditionally used for the treatment of respiratory infections in the Balkan Peninsula (Southeast Europe)

“…However, the raw material studies from this plant showed that it contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (Adamczak et al, 2013). Dragicević et al (2019) have studied the evaluation of toxicity of Tussilago farfara water extracts in bronchial epithelial cells. Their results showed that T. farfara water leaf extract is potentially safe and beneficial in treating respiratory disorders such as asthma and suggested that its actions result from its antioxidative effects on bronchial epithelial cells.…”