Abstract
BackgroundNam Dia Long (NDL) is a Vietnamese traditional formula used for the treatment of some chronic diseases, including cancers, but which lacks evidence-based support. We investigated the selective cytotoxicity of NDL on some tumor cell lines and possible interactions among its ingredients leading to the overall activity.MethodsCrude aqueous extracts of NDL, its ingredients including Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. subsp. unguiculata, Sauropus androgynous (L.) Merr and different ingredient combinations were used for the treatment of MCF-7, Hep G2, NCI-H460 cells and normal fibroblasts. The IC50 of NDL on tumor and normal cells were determined by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay and used to calculate a selectivity index (SI). Apoptosis induction activity of NDL was determined by acridine orange - ethidium bromide (AO-EB) staining, genomic DNA and cell cycle analysis. The combination index (CI) reflecting the types of interactions among ingredients was calculated based on the median-effect principle. Real-time cell growth monitoring by the xCELLigence system was used to determine the kinetic profile of the treated MCF-7 cells.ResultsNDL exerted cytotoxicity on all tumor and normal cells, with the highest effect on MCF-7 cells. SI values for MCF-7, Hep G2 and NCI-H460 were 6.45, 1.61 and 1.29, respectively, indicating a high selective cytotoxicity of NDL toward MCF-7 cells. Profiles of cell death differed for MCF-7 cells and fibroblasts suggesting different mechanism of action of NDL toward these two cell types. The cytotoxicity of NDL against MCF-7 cells was due to apoptosis induction. NDL caused a cell cycle non-phase-specific effect on MCF-7 cells. CI indicated synergistic interactions among the ingredients leading to the overall activity of the complete formula. The real-time monitoring of MCF-7 cells growth after being treated with NDL and three-component combinations suggested that the presence of all ingredients was needed to reach the full cytotoxic activity. The growth kinetic profile of MCF-7 cells treated with different combinations also indicated a synergistic effect of all ingredients.ConclusionNDL exhibited selective cytotoxicity toward MCF-7 cells. This effect probably resulted from synergistic interactions among the NDL ingredients. NDL should be explored for breast cancer treatment.
Highlights
Nam Dia Long (NDL) is a Vietnamese traditional formula used for the treatment of some chronic diseases, including cancers, but which lacks evidence-based support
Cytotoxicity of NDL on three tumor cell lines and normal fibroblasts The quality control of NDL and its ingredients was performed through the generation of fingerprint chromatograms by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (Fig. 1)
The cytotoxicity of NDL on MCF-7, Hep G2 and NCIH460 cell lines and fibroblasts was determined by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay
Summary
Nam Dia Long (NDL) is a Vietnamese traditional formula used for the treatment of some chronic diseases, including cancers, but which lacks evidence-based support. Vietnamese traditional medicine (VTM) is fully integrated into national healthcare and plays an important role in Vietnamese society. It is indispensable for lowincome people and those living in rural areas with limited or no access to Western medicine. The underpinning philosophy is to use mixtures of ingredients in one formulation to address different targets in the body to treat the disease and regulate homeostasis. Therapeutic effects of multi-ingredient formulations result from interactions among these ingredients, which can be synergistic, additive or antagonistic [2]. As a multifactorial disease, may benefit from this holistic approach
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