In Vitro Study of Two Edible Polygonoideae Plants: Phenolic Profile, Cytotoxicity, and Modulation of Keap1-Nrf2 Gene Expression.

Marina Jovanović,Dragana Mitić-Ćulafić,Dina Tenji,Biljana Nikolić,Emilija Svirčev,Tatjana Srdić-Rajić

doi:10.3390/foods10040811

Abstract

Polygonum aviculare and Persicaria amphibia (subfam. Polygonoideae) are used in traditional cuisines and folk medicine in various cultures. Previous studies indicated that phytochemicals obtained from Polygonoideae plants could sensitize chemoresistant cancer cells and enhance the efficacy of some cytostatics. Here, the cytotoxic properties of chemically characterized ethanol extracts obtained from P. aviculare and P. amphibia, individually and in combination with doxorubicin (D), were determined against hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Phenolic composition, cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, and the expression of Keap1 and Nrf2 were examined by following methods: LC-MS/MS, LC-DAD-MS, MTT, flow cytometry, and qRT-PCR. Extracts were rich in dietary polyphenolics. Synergistic cytotoxicity was detected for extracts combined with D. The observed synergisms are linked to the interference with apoptosis, cell cycle, and expression of Keap1-Nrf2 genes involved in cytoprotection. The combined approach of extracts and D could emerge as a potential pathway of chemotherapy improvement.

Highlights

Widespread throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas, wild plants Polygonum aviculare and Persicaria amphibia
The results of spectrophotometric measurement of total phenolics and flavonoids content of the extracts were expressed as equivalents of gallic acid per g of dry extract
The results of the LC-MS/MS analysis (Figure 1) showed that both extracts are rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids

Summary

Introduction

Widespread throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas, wild plants Polygonum aviculare and Persicaria amphibia Polygonum amphibium), subfamily Polygonoideae, are used in traditional cuisines and folk medicine in various cultures [1,2]. P. aviculare, known as the common knotweed, is edible and used as a Korean salad plant, an Australian honey plant, and a traditional Vietnam culinary herb [3,4,5]. In the USA, P. amphibia, popularly known as water smart weed, has been utilized in soft drink preparation [2]. These plants are widely used as a home remedy to treat ailments such as stomach pains and diarrhea [1,2,6,7]. In the folk medicine of China and Austria P. aviculare and

Methods

Results

Conclusion