Pharmacological screening of bryophyte extracts that inhibit growth and induce abnormal phenotypes in human HeLa cancer cells

Abstract

Antitumor activities of substances from natural sources apart from vascular plants and micro-organisms have been poorly investigated. Here we report on a pharmacological screening of a bryophyte extract library using a phenotypic cell-based assay revealing microtubules, centrosomes and DNA. Among the 219 moss extracts tested, we identified 41 extracts acting on cell division with various combinations of significant effects on interphasic and mitotic cells. Seven extracts were further studied using a cell viability assay, cell cycle analysis and the phenotypic assay. Three distinct pharmacological patterns were identified including two unusual phenotypes.

Optimisation of Conditions for Extraction of Biologically Active Compounds from Common Bryophytes in Latvia / Latvijâ Augoðu Briofîtu Ekstrakcijas Apstâkïu Optimizâcijas Ietekme Uz Bioloìiski Aktîviem Sekundârajiem Metabolîtiem

“…The interest in bryophyte chemical composition has been growing ever since the presence of a high number of biologically active compounds in their composition was demonstrated (Basile et al, 1999;Fu et al, 2012;Asakawa et al, 2013). Many compounds isolated from bryophytes have shown high biological activity (Krzaczkowski et al, 2009;Üçüncü et al, 2010). Likewise, extracts of bryophytes have shown multiple kinds of biological activity.…”

“…A number of bryophytes have demonstrated well-expressed antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities. Moreover, in several studies, their cytoxicity in respect to cancer cells has been demonstrated, as well as antioxidant, antiplatelet, antithrombin, insecticidal and neuroprotective activities, ability to inhibit a number of biochemically important enzymes, and other kinds of activities (Spjut et al, 1986;Wang et al, 2005;Sing et al, 2006;Krzaczkowski et al, 2009).…”

Protoflavonoids from Ferns Impair Centrosomal Integrity of Tumor Cells

“…In most of the cases, the observed phenotypic changes were mainly a prometaphase-metaphase block and/or an impaired cytoskeleton organization. Such changes are frequently encountered after treating HeLa cells with classic antimitotic drugs [8] (see Supporting Information section for major phenotypic changes induced by 13 reference compounds including anticancer drugs or mitotic blockers). Six extracts (2 from Equisetaceae and 4 from Thelypteridaceae) showed unique effects characterized by the impairment of γ-tubulin labelling on the centrosomes of both interphasic and mitotic cells, together with the presence of monopolar mitotic spindles.…”

Therapeutic potential of bryophytes and derived compounds against cancer

“…In vitro cytotoxic activity of M. convoluta ethyl acetate extract on human liver and lung cancer cell lines (H1299 and HepG2) were reported, where petroleum ether and n-butanol extracts showed no activity [187] . Bryophytes extracts which inhibit growth and induce abnormal phenotypes in human HeLa cancer cells with significant effects on interphasic and mitotic cells, have been screened pharmacologically [188] . Luteolin, another biologically active compound, reported from various bryophytes and higher groups of plants is reported to induce apoptosis, prevent carcinogenesis and reduce tumor growth in vivo.…”