Ilex kudingcha C.J. Tseng (Kudingcha) has in vitro anticancer activities in MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells and exerts anti-metastatic effects in vivo

Abstract

Ilex kudingcha C.J. Tseng (Kudingcha) is a traditional Chinese drink consumed in East Asia. The present study evaluated the in vitro anticancer effects of Kudingcha in MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells using a 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. At a concentration of 200 μg/ml, Kudingcha inhibited the growth of the MCF-7 cells by 81%. This was a greater degree of inhibition than that observed at concentrations of 100 and 50 μg/ml (58 and 19%, respectively). To elucidate the inhibitory mechanisms underlying the anticancer effect of Kudingcha in cancer cells, the expression of genes associated with apoptosis and inflammation were measured using RT-PCR. Kudingcha significantly induced apoptosis, as determined by 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, by upregulating Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9, and downregulating Bcl-2. The expression of the NF-κB, iNOS and COX-2 genes associated with inflammation was significantly decreased (P<0.05) by Kudingcha, thus demonstrating its anti-inflammatory properties. Kudingcha has been reported to exhibit inhibitory effects of tumor metastasis induced in 26-M3.1 colon carcinoma cells in BALB/c mice. The results demonstrated that Kudingcha had potent in vitro anticancer effects; it induced apoptosis, had anti-inflammatory activities and exerted in vivo anti-metastatic effects. Additionally, the anticancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-metastatic effects of Kudingcha were stronger at high concentrations than at low concentrations.

Chemical Composition, Bioactivity and Safety Aspects of Kuding Tea—From Beverage to Herbal Extract

“…Recently, two papers reported the anticancer properties of I. kudingcha [6,7]. Both an aqueous [7] and an ethanolic [6] extract showed potent dose-dependent antiproliferative, proapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects in TCA8113 human tongue carcinoma cells and MCF-7 human breast adeno-carcinoma cells [6,7]. Treatment with 200 µg/mL KTE inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells up to~80% [7].…”

“…Both an aqueous [7] and an ethanolic [6] extract showed potent dose-dependent antiproliferative, proapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects in TCA8113 human tongue carcinoma cells and MCF-7 human breast adeno-carcinoma cells [6,7]. Treatment with 200 µg/mL KTE inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells up to~80% [7]. KTE induced apoptosis in cancer cells via the BCL2-associated X protein (Bax)-and the B cell leukaemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-dependent pathway accompanied by increased caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression levels [6,7].…”

“…Treatment with 200 µg/mL KTE inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells up to~80% [7]. KTE induced apoptosis in cancer cells via the BCL2-associated X protein (Bax)-and the B cell leukaemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-dependent pathway accompanied by increased caspase-3 and caspase-9 gene expression levels [6,7].…”

“…Various extraction methods have been applied to obtain partly purified extracts of KT. For instance, aqueous extracts, alcoholic extracts and a saponin extract of KT have been examined in vitro and in vivo [3][4][5][6][7]. Moreover, some novel technologies, such as encapsulation or nanotechnology, have been developed to enhance the bioactivity of KT phytochemicals.…”

Ilex latifolia Thunb protects mice from HFD-induced body weight gain

“…Previous studies have investigated pharmaceutical functions of Ilex kudingcha C.J. Tseng, including anti-oxidant, anti-hypertensive, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective and anti-cancer roles 8 – 10 . However, experimental data on the effects of Ilex latifolia Thunb on health are lacking.…”