Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Mauritian Endemic Medicinal Plant Extracts Induce G2/M Phase Cell Cycle Arrest and Growth Inhibition of Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Vitro

Rummun, N.; Hughes, R.E.; Beesoo, R.; Li, Wenwu; Aldulaimi, O.; Macleod, K.G.; Bahorun, T.; Carragher, N.O.; Kagansky, A.; Neergheen-Bhujun, V.S.

Mauritian Endemic Medicinal Plant Extracts Induce G2/M Phase Cell Cycle Arrest and Growth Inhibition of Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Vitro Thumbnail


Authors

N. Rummun

R.E. Hughes

R. Beesoo

O. Aldulaimi

K.G. Macleod

T. Bahorun

N.O. Carragher

A. Kagansky

V.S. Neergheen-Bhujun



Abstract

Terrestrial plants have contributed massively to the development of modern oncologic drugs. Despite the wide acceptance of Mauritian endemic flowering plants in traditional medicine, scientific evidence of their chemotherapeutic potential is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro tumor cytotoxicity of leaf extracts from five Mauritian endemic medicinal plants, namely Acalypha integrifolia Willd (Euphorbiaceae), Labourdonnaisia glauca Bojer (Sapotaceae), Dombeya acutangula Cav. subsp. rosea Friedmann (Malvaceae), Gaertnera psychotrioides (DC.) Baker (Rubiaceae), and Eugenia tinifolia Lam (Myrtaceae). The cytotoxicities of the extracts were determined against six human cancer cell lines, including cervical adenocarcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, oesophageal adenocarcinoma, and oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The potent extracts were further investigated using cell cycle analysis and reverse phase protein array (RPPA) analysis. The antioxidant properties and polyphenolic profile of the potent extracts were also evaluated. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses revealed the presence of (+)-catechin and gallocatechin in E. tinifolia and L. glauca, while gallic acid was detected in A. integrifolia. L. glauca, A. integrifolia, and E. tinifolia were highly selective towards human oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (KYSE-30) cells. L. glauca and E. tinifolia arrested KYSE30 cells in the G2/M phase, in a concentration-dependent manner. RPPA analysis indicated that the extracts may partly exert their tumor growth-inhibitory activity by upregulating the intracellular level of 5'AMP-activated kinase (AMPK). The findings highlight the potent antiproliferative activity of three Mauritian endemic leaf extracts against oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma and calls for further investigation into their chemotherapeutic application.

Acceptance Date Dec 10, 2018
Publication Date Feb 25, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Acta naturae
Print ISSN 2075-8251
Pages 81 - 90
Keywords Mauritian endemic, medicinal plant, oesophageal carcinoma, tumor cytotoxicity, AMPK
Publisher URL https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6475868/

Files




You might also like



Downloadable Citations