Mallotus furetianus caused the inhibition of proliferation through activation of p21 in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

Abstract

Introduction In recent years, the food constituents draw attention to maintain oneself health. Several of these constituents are believed to have potential to prevent of disease. Mallotus furetianus, a kind of tropical plant, belongs to the family of Euphorbiacase. It is a herb native to Hainan Island of China and is used for a folk medicine of cholecystitis. Many studies reported that extract of Mallotus furetianus (EMF) has anti-oxidant and anti-arteriosclerosis effects but anti-cancer effect has not been reported till now. Here, we examined anti-cancer effect and the mechanism of EMF. Methods: Mallotus furetianus was extracted with hot water and then the extract was freeze-dried and dissolved in DMSO. Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (EATC) were treated with 0~400 μg/ml EMF and incubated for 24 hrs. Cell proliferation and cell viability were measured using trypan blue staining. Cell cycle profiles were analyzed by FACS flow cytometer and BrdU assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by DCFH-DA assay. Proteins levels were analyzed by Western blot assay. Results: EMF suppressed cell proliferation of EATC index dose-dependently. FACS Flow cytometer revealed that EMF inhibited cell cycle progression at 24 hrs and induced cell cycle S phase arrest in EATC. The intracellular ROS were increased with EMF at 1 hr after treatment. The Cip/Kip family protein such as p21 increased in the presence of EMF. Conclusions The results suggest that EMF has an anti-cancer effect in EATC. EMF induced S phase arrest and the inhibition of cell proliferation via the activation of p21.