Quantification of Flavonoids in Alpinia officinarum Hance. via HPLC and Evaluation of its Cytotoxicity on Human Prostate Carcinoma (LNCaP) and Breast Carcinoma (MCF-7) Cells

Abstract

Background: Various plant species have been shown to be effective in prevention or adjuvant therapy of cancer. Alpinia officinarum and its main phytochemicals have also been the subject of several studies for their anti-cancer properties. Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze the extracts of A. officinarum to quantify flavonoids, and to evaluate the growth inhibitory effects of the extracts on MCF-7 and LNCaP cells. Methods: A. officinarum aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for quantification of three flavonoid compounds. Then MCF-7, LNCaP, and fibroblast cells were treated with several concentrations (25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 μg/mL) of extracts (24, 48 and 72h). Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay. Flow cytometry was conducted to evaluate apoptosis. Results: Galangin and kaempferol (3.85 and 1.57 mg/g dry extract) were quantified respectively in hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts using a validated method. The hydroalcoholic extract significantly decreased the viability of MCF-7 (IC50: 43.45μg/mL for 48h) and LNCaP cells (IC50: 168μg/mL for 48h). The aqueous extract reduced cancer cell viability by more than 50% only at 200 and 400 μg/mL (72h). Treatment of primary fibroblasts with both extracts showed no significant decrease in cell viability (25-100 μg/mL; 24 and 48h). The hydroalcoholic extract induced a significant increase in apoptotic cells in both MCF-7 and LNCaP cells. Conclusion: Obtained results demonstrated the cytotoxicity of A. officinarum through apoptosis induction in two cancer cell lines. Further investigations are required to determine the underlying apoptotic cell death mechanisms induced by A. officinarum in cancerous cells.

Polyphenol galangin induces the ROS and ER stress-mediated intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways towards human colon carcinoma HCT-116 cells

“…Galangin is presented in the root of Alpinia officinarum (Hance), Helichrysum aureonitens, Alnus pendula Matsum, Betulaceae, Plantago major L, Plantaginaceae, Scutellaria galericulata L., Lamiaceae, honey, and propolis (Patel, 2015). The present results have showed that galangin might be a potential candidate to suppress cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis in various types of cancer cells including lung caner (Yu et al, 2018), gastric cancer (Xu et al, 2017), colorectal cancer (Wang et al, 2017), prostate cancer (Kazemi et al, 2021), ovarian cancer (Huang et al, 2015), head and neck cancers (Zhu et al, 2014), and osteosarcoma (Liu et al, 2017). For instance, it was found that 10-160 μmol/L of galangin could inhibit the proliferation of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells dose-dependently, downregulate the cycle-associated proteins, induce cell apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway, and inhibit the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt (Liu et al, 2018).…”

Essential oils of Zingiber officinale: Chemical composition, in vivo alleviation effects on TPA induced ear swelling in mice and in vitro bioactivities

“…Additionally, as a human prostate carcinoma, LNCaP was widely used and investigated. Kazemi et al ( 61 ) reported that the IC50 value of flavonoids in Alpinia officinarum Hance . was 168 μg/mL, which was higher than that of ZOEOs.…”

An Overview of the Spices Used for the Prevention and Potential Treatment of Gastric Cancer

“…Galangal is rich in phenolic compounds (acids and flavonoids), of which galangin is predominant. Other flavonoids include kaempferide, 3-methoxyl-galangin, kaempferol, and pinocembrin [178][179][180][181].…”