Genista sessilifolia DC. extracts induce apoptosis across a range of cancer cell lines. (19th March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bontempo, P.; Rigano, D.; Doto, A.; Formisano, C.; Conte, M.; Nebbioso, A.; Carafa, V.; Caserta, G.; Sica, V.; Molinari, A. M.; Altucci, L.
• Is Part Of: Cell proliferation. Volume 46:Number 2(2013:Apr.)
• Page Start: 183
• Page End: 192
• Publication Date: 2013-03-19
• Subjects: Cell proliferation -- Periodicals; 571.84
• DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-7722

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="cpr12022-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="cpr12022-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>Restorative properties of medicinal plants such as <italic>Genista sessilifolia</italic> DC. have often been suggested to occur, in epidemiological studies. However, full characterization of effective principles responsible for this action has never previously been performed. Here, we have characterized <italic>G. sessilifolia</italic>'s anti‐cancer effects and identified the chemical components involved in this anti‐tumour action.</p> </sec> <sec id="cpr12022-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Materials and methods</title> <p>Cell cycle, apoptosis, necrosis, differentiation analyses, high‐performance liquid chromatography, western blotting, RNA extraction, real‐time PCR and primers have all been observed/used in the study.</p> </sec> <sec id="cpr12022-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>We report that <italic>G. sessilifolia</italic> methanol extract has anti‐cancer activity on solid and haematological cancer cells. <italic>G. sessilifolia</italic> extract's anti‐proliferative action is closely bound to induction of apoptosis, whereas differentiation is only weakly modulated. Analysis of <italic>G. sessilifolia</italic> extract, by high‐performance liquid chromatography, identifies fraction 18–22 as the pertinent component for induction of apoptosis, whereas fractions 11–13 and 27–30 both seem to contribute to differentiation. <italic>G. sessilifolia</italic> extract induces apoptosis mediated by caspase activation and p21, Rb, p53, Bcl2‐associated agonist of cell death (BAD), tumour necrosis factor receptor super‐family, member 10 (TRAIL) overexpression and death receptor 5 (DR5). Accordingly, fraction 18–22 inducing apoptosis was able to induce TRAIL.</p> </sec> <sec id="cpr12022-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Our results indicate that <italic>G. sessilifolia</italic> extract and its fraction 18–22 containing genistin and isoprunetin, were able to induce anti‐cancer effects supporting the hypothesis of a pro‐apoptotic intrinsic content of this natural medicinal plant.</p> </sec> </abstract>