In Vitro Antitumor Properties of an Isolate from Leaves of Cassia alata L

Abstract

Leaf extracts of Cassia alata L (akapulko), traditionally used for treatment of a variety of diseases, were evaluated for their potential antitumor properties in vitro. MTT assays were used to examine the cytotoxic effects of crude extracts on five human cancer cell lines, namely MCF-7, derived from a breast carcinoma, SK-BR-3, another breast carcinoma, T24 a bladder carcinoma, Col 2, a colorectal carcinoma, and A549, a nonsmall cell lung adenocarcinoma. Hexane extracts showed remarkable cytotoxicity against MCF-7, T24, and Col 2 in a dose-dependent manner. This observation was confirmed by morphological investigation using light microscopy. Further bioassay-directed fractionation of the cytotoxic extract led to the isolation of a TLC-pure isolate labeled as f6l. Isolate f6l was further evaluated using MTT assay and morphological and biochemical investigations, which likewise showed selectivity to MCF-7, T24, and Col 2 cells with IC 50 values of 16, 17, and 17 µg/ml, respectively. Isolate f6l, however, showed no cytotoxicity towards the non-cancer Chinese hamster ovarian cell line (CHO-AA8). Cytochemical investigation using DAPI staining and biochemical investigation using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-a method used to detect DNA fragmentation-together with caspase assay, demonstrated apoptotic cell death. Spectral characterization of isolate f6l revealed that it contained polyunsaturated fatty acid esters. Considering the cytotoxicity profile and its mode of action, f6l might represent a new promising compound with potential for development as an anticancer drug with low or no toxicity to non-cancer cells used in this study.

Ethyl Acetate Extract of <i>Senna alata</i> (L) Roxb Increases Cytotoxicity in the Human Breast, Prostate and Colorectal Cancer Cells

“…alata leaves extracts reveals that the Hexane fraction of C. alata leaves exhibited cytotoxic activity against parental A549 (lung cancer cells) and OV2008 (ovarian cancer cells) cell lines [23], also the hexane fraction and f6l (a mixture of polyunsaturated fatty acid esters) exerted a cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 (breast carcinoma cells), T24 (bladder carcinoma cells) and Col 2 (colorectal carcinoma cells) cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, but were not effective against A549 (non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma) and SK-BR-3 (breast carcinoma cells) cell lines [24]. On the other hand, petroleum ether extract possessed anticancer activity against HCT-15 (colon carcinoma) and Hep2 (Human cervix carcinoma) cell lines [25], while the Chloroform fraction of Cassia alata L showed remarkable cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells [8].…”

Senna alata leaf extract restores insulin sensitivity in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

“…It has numerous pharmacological activities such as antitumor [10], anthelmintic [11], anti-bacterial [12], anti-oxidant and antiinflammatory [13], and anti-diabetic activities [14]. A recent study found that S. alata (250 and 500 mg/kg) improved abnormal lipid metabolism by suppressing hepatic lipogenic genes, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) [15].…”

Cytotoxicity of Stem Extracts of Selected Cassia Species Against Hela and Breast Cancer Cell Lines in Vitro

“…Similarly, ethanolic extracts of C. sophera proved to be hepatoprotective against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage in rats [13]. In a recent study, the hexane extracts of the Cassia alata showed remarkable cytotoxicity against breast and lung carcinoma cells and the elucidation of hexane extracts revealed the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids esters [14]. In our study, the chloroform extracts exhibited maximum cytotoxicity against the cell lines in all the plant studied.…”