title: Sutherlandia frutescens extracts can induce apoptosis in cultured carcinoma cells.
abstract: Sutherlandia frutescens popularly known as cancer bush is endemic to Southern Africa. Whole plant parts have been used and traditional healers claim that it can treat cancer. In this study it is shown that a crude aqueous Sutherlandia frutescens whole plant extract induced cytotoxicity in neoplastic cells (cervical carcinoma) and CHO (Chinese Hamster Ovary cells) cell lines. Morphological observation and monitoring with other biological assays involving chromatin condensation as well as phosphotidyl serine externalisation point to apoptotic responses. Further biochemical assays showed similar DNA fragmentation patterns induced by Sutherlandia frutescens extracts compared to other inducers of apoptosis such as staurosporine and ceramide. Furthermore, Sutherlandia frutescens extracts induced apoptosis was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis. These findings warrant further research with a view to develop Sutherlandia frutescens extracts for use in anti-cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa. 2038192@uwc.ac.za
authors.forename: Kenneth Anye
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Chinkwo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D016466:CHO Cells; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002518:Ceramides / Q000009:adverse effects; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D007887:Fabaceae; D006801:Humans; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D013019:South Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D019311:Staurosporine / Q000009:adverse effects; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D002518:Ceramides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014867:Water; D019311:Staurosporine