Abstract
BackgroundUvaria chamae (UC) and Olax subscorpioidea (OS) roots are included in traditional anti-cancer remedies and some studies have identified their chemopreventive/chemotherapeutic potential. This study aimed to identify some cellular/molecular mechanisms underlying such potential and the associated chemical constituents.MethodsEffect on the viability of cancer cells was assessed using the Alamar Blue assay; ability to modulate oxidative stress was assessed using the 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) assay; potential to modulate Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor like-2 (Nrf2) activity was assessed in the AREc32 luciferase reporter cell line; and anti-inflammatory effect was assessed using lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide release model in the RAW264.7 cells (Griess Assay). Chemical constituents were identified through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).ResultsExtracts up to 100 μg/ml were non-toxic or mildly toxic to HeLa, AREc32, PC3 and A549 cells (IC50 > 200 μg/ml). Each extract reduced basal and peroxide-induced levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HeLa cells. OS and UC activated Nrf2, with UC producing nearly four-fold induction. Both extracts demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects. Chamanetin, isochamanetin, isouvaretin, uvaricin I and other compounds were found in U. chamae root extract.ConclusionAs Nrf-2 induction, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities are closely linked with chemoprevention and chemotherapy of cancers, the roles of these plants in traditional anti-cancer remedies are further highlighted, as is their potential as sources of drug leads.
Highlights
Uvaria chamae (UC) and Olax subscorpioidea (OS) roots are included in traditional anti-cancer remedies and some studies have identified their chemopreventive/chemotherapeutic potential
The effect of a substance on cell viability depends on the type of cell used, so we explored a range of human cancer cell lines grown as monolayer cultures: human cervical adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa); AREc32; A549; and PC3
We first demonstrated that the viability of each of the cell types could be impaired through exposure to a known toxic agent, as doxorubicin reduced their viability in a concentration-dependent manner, and the effects at higher doxorubicin concentrations were significant
Summary
Uvaria chamae (UC) and Olax subscorpioidea (OS) roots are included in traditional anti-cancer remedies and some studies have identified their chemopreventive/chemotherapeutic potential. The incidence and prevalence of cancer in the developing world are on the rise [1, 2]. Factors such as demographic changes and growing economies are shifting the disease burden in these regions from infections to non-communicable diseases [2, 3]. While many plants are employed in traditional medicine as alternative approaches to western medicine in cancer therapy in developing countries [8,9,10,11], there is a dearth of robust scientific evidence of the mechanisms of action and safety of many of these remedies
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