Erythrina excelsa exhibits estrogenic effects in vivo and in vitro and is cytotoxic on breast and colon cancer cell lines. (3rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tchoukouegno Ngueu, Sadrine; Tchoumtchoua, Job; Njamen, Dieudonné; Halabalaki, Maria; Laudenbach-Leschowski, Ute; Diel, Patrick
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical biology. Volume 54:Number 5(2016:May)
• Page Start: 835
• Page End: 844
• Publication Date: 2016-05-03
• Subjects: Fabaceae -- LC–HRMS -- MTT assay -- Orbitrap -- prenylated isoflavonoids -- uterotrophic assay -- yeast estrogen screen; Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; 615.321
• DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2015.1087037
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-0209

Abstract

Abstract: Context : Eythrina excelsa Baker (Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant used to treat various ailments including those of the female genital tract. Objective : The objective of this study is to investigate the estrogenic and cytotoxic effects of the ethanol extract of the stem bark of E. excelsa . Materials and methods : Erythrina excelsa was evaluated in vitro using the yeast estrogen screen (YES). The extract was then tested in a 3-day uterotrophic assay on ovariectomised Wistar rats at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg BW/d. Cytotoxic effects were assessed on breast (MCF-7) and colon (HT-29) cancer cell lines using the MTT cell viability assay. Additionally, a LC–PDA–ESI (+)–HRMS and HRMS/MS method was developed and applied for the identification of representative secondary metabolites scaffolds in the extract. Results : In the YES, the extract stimulated the transactivation of the estrogen receptor in a dose-dependent manner with an EC50 value of 1.8 μg/mL. In rats, E. excelsa increased uterine wet weight, uterine epithelial height, and the mRNA expression of estrogen-responsive genes in the uterus and liver at 50 whereas at 100 mg/kg BW/d anti-estrogenic effects were observed. In the MTT-assay, a dose-dependent decrease of the viability of both cell lines was observed with EC50 values of 13.6 μg/mL (MCF-7) and 27.7 μg/mL (HT-29). The phytochemical analysis revealed that the extract is rich in isoflavonoids, mainly prenylated and pyran-derivatives thereof. Conclusion : Erythrina excelsa is rich in prenylated and pyran-substituted isoflavonoids, exhibits estrogenic/anti-estrogenic and cytotoxic effects and warrant sufficient interest for deeper investigations