Hibiscus flower extract selectively induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells and positively interacts with common chemotherapeutics

Abstract

Background Current therapeutic approaches to treat metastatic breast cancer, although effective, have shown many inadvertent side effects such as genotoxicity due to a lack of selectivity. Thus, these treatment plans are not suitable for long-term usage. Natural health product extracts are safe for long-term consumption and some have shown to be medicinally active containing multiple bioactive compounds able target multiple vulnerabilities in cancer. One of which, Hibiscus rosa-sinesis (hibiscus) extract, has been reported to have many medicinal and anticancer properties due to its antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects. However, its efficacy against breast cancer has not been fully investigated and characterized. If effective against cancer, hibiscus extract could potentially be combined with chemotherapeutic treatments in adjuvant therapy to reduce chemotherapy-inducing side effects. Method We have investigated aqueous hibiscus flower extract anticancer efficacy, selectivity, and interactions with chemotherapeutics taxol, cisplatin, and tamoxifen in estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer cells, triple-negative human breast cancer cells, and normal non-cancerous cells. Apoptotic morphology and biochemical marker expression were assessed to determine the extent anticancer efficacy of hibiscus. Mitochondrial membrane potential reduction and reactive oxygen species generation were quantified using fluorogenic dyes to determine the mechanism of hibiscus extract action. Results Hibiscus extract was able to selectively induce apoptosis in both triple-negative and estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer cells in a dosage-dependent manner. Most importantly, addition of hibiscus extract was found to enhance the induction of apoptosis of chemotherapy treatments (taxol and cisplatin) in triple-negative breast cancer cells when compared to treatment alone. Moreover, hibiscus extract addition to chemotherapy treatment was able to increase oxidative stress and decrease mitochondrial membrane potential compared to individual treatments. Conclusion Hibiscus extract is effective on breast cancer, most notably on generally resistant triple-negative breast cancer, while being selective for normal healthy cells. Hibiscus extract could supplement chemotherapeutic regimens as an adjuvant and lead to a more efficacious treatment approach to reduce chemotherapy dosages and related toxicity.

Dandelion Root and Lemongrass Extracts Induce Apoptosis, Enhance Chemotherapeutic Efficacy, and Reduce Tumour Xenograft Growth In Vivo in Prostate Cancer

“…Annexin V binding assay and propidium iodide staining were performed to, respectively, monitor early apoptosis and cell permeabilization, a marker of necrotic or late apoptotic cell death. This assay is standardized, and we have used this assay in previous studies to analyze the effect of NHPs on various cancer cells [15, 24]. Cells were washed with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and suspended in Annexin V binding buffer (10 mM HEPES, 140 mM NaCl, 2.5 mM CaCl 2 , pH 7.4) with green fluorescent Annexin V Alexa Fluor 488 (1:20) (Life Technologies Inc., Cat.…”

“…To assess the dependence of apoptotic induction on oxidative stress, the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was used to rescue cells. This assay is standardized, and we have used this assay in previous studies to analyze the effect of NHPs on various cancer cells [15, 24]. Cells were pretreated with 10 μ L NAC (Sigma-Aldrich Canada, Cat.…”

Natural Health Products (NHP’s) and Natural Compounds as Therapeutic Agents for the Treatment of Cancer; Mechanisms of Anti-Cancer Activity of Natural Compounds and Overall Trends

“…Recently, researchers have investigated the possibility of targeting cellular vulnerabilities specific to cancer as a new treatment option. As cancer cells require high-energy production to rapidly proliferate, they can become susceptible to oxidative stress and mitochondrial membrane destabilization [ 23 ]. A therapeutic agent that is able to target the vulnerabilities of a cancer cell could induce a controlled and specific physiological process called apoptosis, which ultimately leads to the death of the cancer cell [ 24 ].…”

Phyto-Therapheutic Plants as Miracle around You – A Review

“…The other part of the plant like roots, leaves, stem also having some medicinal importance which include laxative, oral contraceptive, antimicrobial, antidiabetic etc. [3,4] The extraction process involve in isolation of different active constituents are hydrodistillation, three phase partitioning, Percolation, maceration and supra-critical fluid extraction. The active constituent which are generally found in the plant are alkaloids, glycosides, reducing sugar, resin and tannin.…”