Anti-breast cancer properties and toxicity of Dillenia suffruticosa root aqueous extract in BALB/c mice

Antitumor and Phytochemical Properties of Ferula assa-foetida L. Oleo-Gum-Resin against HT-29 Colorectal Cancer Cells In Vitro and in a Xenograft Mouse Model

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently occurring tumors. Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum-resin (OGR) extract is a traditional cooking spice known for its broad spectrum of biological activities such as antifungal, antiparasitic, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study evaluated the antitumor effect of OGR extract against HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. The OGR chemical composition was analyzed using LC-ESI-MS/MS; MTT, clonogenic assays, and a xenograft model were used to measure cytotoxicity, while apoptotic proteins were detected using Western blotting. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the extract was a rich source of isoflavones, xanthones, and other derivatives. In a dose-dependent manner, the OGR extract significantly inhibited colony formation ability and HT-29 cell growth (IC50 was 3.60 ± 0.02 and 10.5 ± 0.1 mg/mL, respectively). On the other hand, the OGR extract significantly induced apoptosis and increased the expression of some pro-death proteins involved in cellular apoptosis including PUMA, BIM, BIK, and BAK. Moreover, in a subcutaneous HT-29 xenograft model, the tumor volume and burden decreased after treatment with the OGR extract (550 ± 32 mm3 and 16.3 ± 3.6, respectively) This study demonstrated that Ferula assa-foetida OGR ethanolic extract has potential antitumor effects against HT-29 CRC cell lines by reducing cell viability and the function of apoptosis. More studies are needed to reveal the underlying mechanisms related to cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction.

Strobilanthes crispus bioactive subfraction inhibits tumor progression and improves hematological and morphological parameters in mouse mammary carcinoma model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Locally known as 'pecah batu', 'bayam karang', 'keci beling' or 'batu jin', the Malaysian medicinal herb, Strobilanthes crispus (S. crispus), is traditionally used by the local communities as alternative or adjuvant remedy for cancer and other ailments and to boost the immune system. S. crispus has demonstrated multiple anticancer therapeutic potential in vitro and in vivo. A pharmacologically active fraction of S. crispus has been identified and termed as F3. Major constituents profiled in F3 include lutein and β-sitosterol.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study, the effects of F3, lutein and β-sitosterol on tumor development and metastasis were investigated in 4T1-induced mouse mammary carcinoma model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tumor-bearing mice were fed with F3 (100 mg/kg/day), lutein (50 mg/kg/day) and β-sitosterol (50 mg/kg/day) for 30 days (n = 5 each group). Tumor physical growth parameters, animal body weight and development of secondary tumors were investigated. The safety profile of F3 was assessed using hematological and histomorphological changes on the major organs in normal control mice (NM).

RESULTS

Our findings revealed significant reduction of physical tumor growth parameters in all tumor-bearing mice treated with F3 (TM-F3), lutein (TM-L) or β-sitosterol (TM-β) as compared with the untreated group (TM). Statistically significant reduction in body weight was observed in TM compared to the NM or treated (TM-F3, TM-L and TM-β) groups. Histomorphological examination of tissue sections from the F3-treated group showed normal features of the vital organs (i.e., liver, kidneys, lungs and spleen) which were similar to those of NM. Administration of F3 to NM mice (NM-F3) did not cause significant changes in full blood count values.

CONCLUSION

F3 significantly reduced the total tumor burden and prevented secondary tumor development in metastatic breast cancer without significant toxicities in 4T1-induced mouse mammary carcinoma model. The current study provides further support for therapeutic development of F3 with further pharmacokinetics studies.

The effects of Momordica balsamina methanolic extract on haematological function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: Effects on selected markers

BACKGROUND

Chronic hyperglycaemia-induced haematological changes increase the risk of cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients. The administration of insulin injection as a bolus is accompanied with increased blood viscosity, which is not recommended for patients with congestive heart failure. Momordica balsamina methanolic extract (MB) has previously been shown to possess anti-hyperglycaemic and renal dysfunction ameliorative effects; however, the haematological effects of MB have not been shown. The current study therefore, investigated the short-term effects MB on selected haematological parameters in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

Briefly, the air-dried Momordica balsamina leaves were sequentially extracted with methanol to yield a methanolic extract. STZ-induced diabetic rats were divided into untreated and treated groups with insulin (170 μg kg^-1 s.c.) and metformin (500 mg kg^-1 p.o.) MB (250 mg kg^-1 p.o.). MB was administered twice daily for the 5-week experimental period. Blood glucose concentration was monitored weekly. Animals were sacrificed terminally. Blood and kidneys were collected for haematological and biochemical analysis respectively.

RESULTS

Treatment with MB significantly decreased blood glucose concentration and improved erythropoietin secretion, thus significantly increasing red blood cell production in treated diabetic animals by comparison to untreated animals. MB also significantly improved haemoglobin concentrations and moderately increased erythrocyte indices specifically, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) to no significance by comparison to untreated diabetic animals. MB treatment decreased the oxidative stress evoked by the induction of diabetes while improving the antioxidant status of treated animals by comparison to untreated animals respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of Momordica balsamina methanolic extract protects against some injurious haematological changes induced by hyperglycaemia, which may reduce the risks of cardiovascular complications.

Antitumor effect of Ferula assa foetida oleo gum resin against breast cancer induced by 4T1 cells in BALB/c mice

Background

Ferula assa foetida commonly consumed as a healthy beverage has been demonstrated to have various biological activities, including antioxidation, anti-obesity and anti-cancer.

Objective

Our study aims to investigate the antitumor effect of asafoetida in vivo using mouse mammary carcinoma 4T1 cells.

Materials and methods

In the study, female BALB/c mice were divided into two groups (n = 6), which were control (untreated) and other group of mice with breast cancer treated with 100 mg/kg of asafoetida, respectively, by oral gavage. All mice were injected into the mammary fat pad with 4T1 cells (1 × 10⁵ 4T1 cells/0.1 ml of phosphate buffer solution). Asafoetida was administered on day 15 after the tumor had developed for 3 weeks. At end of experiment, tumor weight, tumor volume and tumor burden were measured and lung, liver, kidney and tumor were harvested and sections were prepared for histopathological analysis. Lipoxygenase inhibitory and antioxidant activity of asafoetida was also determined.

Results

Our results showed that treatment with asafoetida was effective in decreasing the tumor weight and tumor volume in treated mice. Body weight significantly increased in female BALB/c mice against control. Apart from the antitumor effect, asafoetida decreased lung, liver and kidney metastasis and also increased areas of necrosis in the tumor tissue respectively.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that asafoetida has potent antitumor and antimetastasis effects on breast cancer and is a potential source of natural antitumor products.