Induction of Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cells by Methanolic Extract of Clitoria Ternatea L.

Aim: Investigation of apoptosis induction by methanolic extract of Clitoria ternatea L. flower against multiple cancer cell lines. Main Methods: In the present study cytotoxic activity of Clitoria ternatea L flower was determined using MTT cell viability assay. The induction of cell death/apoptosis was evaluated by light microscopy, DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 enzyme activation. Key Findings: The methanolic extract from C. ternatea (MECT) showed cytotoxic activity against several cancer cell lines. The most potent activity exhibited by MECT was against MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells with an IC50 value of 27.2 ± 2.6 μg/mL. Light microscopic evaluation clearly indicated the apoptotic morphology of MECT treated cells. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with various MECT concentrations resulted in growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis as indicated by DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 enzyme activation. Significance: The current report strongly suggests the pro-apoptotic properties of C. ternatea flowers. Our findings demonstrate that C. ternatea phyto-constituents may have beneficial applications in the field of anti-cancer drug discovery.

Antiangiogenic and Proapoptotic Activity of Averrhoa Carambola L. Fruit Extract on Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Treated Mice.

Aim: Accumulation of fluid containing cancer cells in the abdomen particularly, in ovarian cancer, forms malignant ascites rendering poor prognosis at this stage. We investigated the tumor inhibitory activity of Averrhoa carambola L. fruit extract on EAC cells administered mice targeting angiogenesis and apoptosis, and the bioactive compounds responsible. Main Methods: Body weight, ascites volume and peritoneal angiogenesis were monitored. Giemsa staining on EAC cells, DNA fragmentation assay and FACS analysis to determine the growth arrest were conducted. VEGF count was monitored using ELISA. Phytochemical screening and HPLC analysis were conducted to determine the bioactive compounds. Key Findings: The fruit extract expressed direct cytotoxicity to EAC cells by inducing apoptosis as evidenced by decrease in tumor volume, viable cell count and body weight of EAC bearing mice; characteristic apoptotical features, DNA fragmentation of apoptosis, and growth arrest taking place at G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Significant decrease in density of microvessel network in peritoneal lining and VEGF count in treated cells indicated that the fruit extract curbed malignancy of tumor through its antiangiogenic activity also. All these can be attributed to catechin, epicatechin and ferulic acid present in the extract. The total phenolic, flavanoids, proancthocyanidin and condensed tannins content were 1.216 mgGAE/g extract, 767 mgCE/g extract, 586 mgCE/ g extract and 18.35 mgCE/g extract respectively. Significance: The present study is the first to provide direct evidence that Averrhoa carambola L. has potent proapoptotic and antiangiogenic activity which may contribute to its well- documented clinical activity as a pharmaceutical drug.