Water extract of Semecarpus parvifolia Thw. leaves inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis on HEp-2 cells
Authors
Preethi Soysa
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Panchima Jayarthne
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Imali Ranathunga
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Keywords:
Semecarpus parvifolia, Traditional medicine, Antiproliferative activity, Apoptosis
Abstract
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.
Methods
The 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.
Results
S. 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.
Conclusion
The results suggest that Semecarpus parvifolia Thw induces apoptosis in HEp-2 cells through a NO dependent pathway.
Keywords: Semecarpus parvifolia, Traditional medicine, Antiproliferative activity, Apoptosis
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