Litchi seed extract inhibits epidermal growth factor receptor signaling and growth of Two Non-small cell lung carcinoma cells

Abstract

BackgroundLitchi seeds possess rich amounts of phenolics and have been shown to inhibit proliferation of several types of cancer cells. However, the suppression of EGFR signaling in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by litchi seed extract (LCSE) has not been fully understood.MethodsIn this study, the effects of LCSE on EGFR signaling, cell proliferation, the cell cycle and apoptosis in A549 adenocarcinoma cells and NCI- H661 large-cell carcinoma cells were examined.ResultsThe results demonstrated that LCSE potently reduced the number of cancer cells and induced growth inhibition, cell-cycle arrest in the G1 or G2/M phase, and apoptotic death in the cellular experiment. Only low cytotoxicity effect was noted in normal lung MRC-5 cells. LCSE also suppressed cyclins and Bcl-2 and elevated Kip1/p27, Bax and caspase 8, 9 and 3 activities, which are closely associated with the downregulation of EGFR and its downstream Akt and Erk-1/-2 signaling.ConclusionThe results implied that LCSE suppressed EGFR signaling and inhibited NSCLC cell growth. This study provided in vitro evidence that LCSE could serve as a potential agent for the adjuvant treatment of NSCLC.

A review on the medicinal potential, toxicology, and phytochemistry of litchi fruit peel and seed

“…Like what was observed in prostate cancer cells, hydroalcoholic extract of the seed potentiated anticancer properties in lung cancer cells (A549 and NCI‐ H661 cells) by inhibiting cell growth, upregulating proapoptotic proteins, and downregulating epidermal growth factor receptor‐mediated activation of Akt and Erk‐1/‐2 signaling (Chung et al., 2017). Furthermore, the anticancer property of litchi fruit peel has been shown in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell.…”

“…Similarly, up to 3,750 µg/ml of the seed's resin‐purified 70% ethanol extract was not cytotoxic in normal BV‐2 cells (Zhao et al., 2018), while up to 10 µg/ml of the peel's ethyl acetate fraction (from the 70% extract) was not cytotoxic the normal P19 neuronal cells (Tadtong et al., 2013). Also, no severe toxicity was caused by litchi seed's 70% ethanol extract in normal lung cells (MRC‐5 cells) (Chung et al., 2017). Interestingly, the above‐mentioned non‐toxic concentrations of litchi peel and seed extracts/fractions/isolates were above the effective bioactive doses, suggesting that litchi fruit seed and peel may not pose safety concerns.…”

Inhibitory Effect of Semen Litchi Drug Serum on the Proliferation of Human Hepatoma HepG2 Cells and Expression of VEGF and MMP-9

“…14 Other research has shown that litchi seed extract could suppress epidermal growth factor receptor signalling and inhibited non-small cell lung cancer cell growth. 15 In this experiment, serum pharmacological methods were used to observe the effect of semen litchi drug serum on the proliferation inhibition rate of human hepatoma HepG2 cells. The results of this study indicate that semen litchi drug serum has a good effect on inhibiting proliferation of HepG2 cells, and showing a dose-time dependent effect.…”

Antrodia cinnamomea induces anti-tumor activity by inhibiting the STAT3 signaling pathway in lung cancer cells

“…Both cell culture media were supplemented with FBS (10%, v/v), sodium pyruvate (1 mM), penicillin (100 units/ml) and streptomycin (100 μg/ml). MRC-5 cells, which were used as control non-cancerous lung cells as before 29 – 31 , were cultured in MEM containing FBS, sodium pyruvate, penicillin and streptomycin as above. All cells were incubated at 37 °C in standard cell culture conditions.…”