Biological Activity of an Epilobium angustifolium L. (Fireweed) Infusion after In Vitro Digestion.

Klaudia Kowalik,Dominik Szwajgier,Iwona Niedźwiedź,Ewa Baranowska-Wójcik,Monika Prendecka-Wróbel,Adam Waśko,Dominika Pigoń-Zając,Magdalena Polak-Berecka

doi:10.3390/molecules27031006

Abstract

The biological activity of an in vitro digested infusion of Epilobium angustifolium (fireweed) was examined in a model system of intestinal epithelial and colon cancer tissues. The content of selected phenolic compounds in the digested aqueous extract of fireweed was determined using HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Biological activity was examined using the human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines HT-29 and CaCo-2 and the human colon epithelial cell line CCD 841 CoTr. Cytotoxicity was assessed by an MTT assay, a Neutral Red uptake assay, May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining, and a label-free Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing cytotoxicity assay. The effect of the infusion on the growth of selected intestinal bacteria was also examined. The extract inhibited the growth of intestinal cancer cells HT-29. This effect can be attributed to the activity of quercetin and kaempferol, which were the most abundant phenolic compounds found in the extract after in vitro digestion. The cytotoxicity of the fireweed infusion was dose-dependent. The highest decrease in proliferation (by almost 80%) compared to the control was observed in HT-29 line treated with the extract at a concentration of 250 μg/mL. The fireweed infusion did not affect the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria, but it did significantly inhibit E. coli. The cytotoxic effect of the fireweed extract indicates that it does not lose its biological activity after in vitro digestion. It can be concluded that the fireweed infusion has the potential to be used as a supporting agent in colon cancer therapy.

Highlights

IntroductionThe extract inhibited the growth of intestinal cancer cells HT-29
Comparing these results with our previous study, in which we had determined the content of phenolic compounds in a fireweed infusion [19], we found that all the polyphenolic compounds we identified in the present study had occurred in
Our results revealed that E. angustifolium infusion still retained its biological properties after in vitro digestion

Summary

Introduction

The extract inhibited the growth of intestinal cancer cells HT-29. This effect can be attributed to the activity of quercetin and kaempferol, which were the most abundant phenolic compounds found in the extract after in vitro digestion. 1. Introduction with regard to jurisdictional claims in Epilobium angustifolium (Chamerion angustifolium), known as fireweed or willow herb, is a plant that belongs to the Onagraceae family [1]. Introduction with regard to jurisdictional claims in Epilobium angustifolium (Chamerion angustifolium), known as fireweed or willow herb, is a plant that belongs to the Onagraceae family [1] It grows in Europe, Asia, and North America It is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine around the world for healing numerous diseases.

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