Abstract
BackgroundSemecarpus parvifolia Thw is used as an ingredient of poly herbal decoctions to treat cancer in traditional medicine. The present study aims to investigate the antiproliferative activity on HEp 2 cells by the water extract of S. parvifolia leaves and to evaluate potential mechanisms.MethodsThe plant extract was exposed to S. parvifolia for 24 hours and antiproliferative activity was quantified by Sulforhodamine B (SRB), 3-(4, 5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Morphological changes were observed after staining cells with ethidium bromide/acridine orange (EB/AO) and Giemsa dye. Comet assay was performed to evaluate the DNA damage. The toxicity of the plant extract was determined by brine shrimp lethality assay.ResultsS. parvifolia leaves reduced the cell proliferation in a dose and time dependent manner. A two fold increase in NO level was observed at higher concentrations. Morphological changes characteristic to apoptosis were observed in light microscopy, Giemsa and EB/AO stained cells. Fragmented DNA further confirmed its capacity to induce apoptosis. No lethality was observed with brine shrimps.ConclusionThe results suggest that Semecarpus parvifolia Thw induces apoptosis in HEp-2 cells through a NO dependent pathway.
Highlights
Semecarpus parvifolia Thw is used as an ingredient of poly herbal decoctions to treat cancer in traditional medicine
Anticancer potency in hepatocellular carcinoma has been demonstrated with milk extract of nuts of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. in rats [11]
Based on its capacity to scavenge free radicals, we investigated the ability to inhibit cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis by the water extract of S. parvifolia leaves
Summary
Semecarpus parvifolia Thw is used as an ingredient of poly herbal decoctions to treat cancer in traditional medicine. The present study aims to investigate the antiproliferative activity on HEp 2 cells by the water extract of S. parvifolia leaves and to evaluate potential mechanisms. Most of the marketed drugs for cancer therapy are unmodified natural products or their semi-synthetic derivatives or synthesized molecules based on natural product compound pharmacophores [3]. Most of the drugs used in traditional medicine are poly herbal mixtures. Semecarpus parvifolia is a component of some of the poly herbal drugs. Most of the studies on medicinal effects and toxicity have been evaluated for Semecarpus anacardium Linn [6,7,8]. Previous studies have shown that Semecarpus anacardium possesses antiproliferative activity against breast cancer cell lines [10].
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