Abstract
In the present paper, we demonstrate that extract of Cuscuta kotchiana is able to inhibit in vitro proliferation of two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The expression levels of p53, bcl-2, caspase-3 and bax genes at the mRNA and protein levels were evaluated using quantitative Real Time PCR and western blot analysis. The most active fractions of C. kotchiana were detected by NMR as pratensein and pratensein glycoside. The cytotoxic activity of pratensein glycoside was significantly more than pratensein. The expression level of bcl2 gene was decreased in cancer cells treated by both compounds at CC50 concentrations. But the expression levels of caspase-3, p53 and bax genes were increased in treated cancer cells. In conclusion, all the data demonstrated that the glycoside form of pratensein is important agent in inducing apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.
Highlights
An increasing number of research papers appoint that medicinal plants exhibit a variety of therapeutic properties and could provide health security to rural people in primary health care (Buonaguro et al, 2007)
The two active fractions obtained from C. kotchiana were fractions 8 and 13 which determined by NMR as pratensein and pratensein glycoside
The results showed that cytotoxic activity of pratensein 7-O-glycoside on MCF7 and MDA-MB 231 cells was more than pratensein
Summary
An increasing number of research papers appoint that medicinal plants exhibit a variety of therapeutic properties and could provide health security to rural people in primary health care (Buonaguro et al, 2007). The parasitic relationship of Cuscuta specious with its hosts has been subjected by numerous investigations (Cos et al, 2003 and De Clercq et al, 2009). About 270 species of Cuscuta have been reported throughout the world (Vermani et al, 2002 and Rates et al, (2001). Some specious of Cuscuta have been reported to have potent anti-cancer and anti-viral activities (De Clercq et al, 2009 and Alqasoumi et al, 2008). Cuscuta kotchiana is one of the most common species of Cuscuta (Vermani et al, 2002). It has broad geographical distribution and is one of the most damaging parasite worldwide (Singh et al, 2005; Wang et al, 2006). In the present study, anti-cancer activity of C. kotchiana has been studied
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