Influence of Sutherlandia frutescens extracts on cell numbers, morphology and gene expression in MCF-7 cells.
Sutherlandia frutescens is a well-known South African herbal remedy traditionally used for stomach problems, internal cancers, diabetes, various inflammatory conditions and recently to improve the overall health in cancer and HIV/AIDS patients. The influence of crude Sutherlandia frutescens extracts (prepared with 70% ethanol) was investigated on cell numbers, morphology, and gene expression profiles in a MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cell line. Time-dependent (24, 34, 48 and 72 h) and dose-dependent (0.5-2.5 mg/ml) studies were conducted utilizing spectrophotometrical analysis with crystal violet as DNA stain. A statistically significant decrease to 50% of malignant cell numbers was observed after 24 h of exposure to 1.5 mg/ml Sutherlandia frutescens extract when compared to vehicle-treated controls. Morphological characteristics of apoptosis including cytoplasmic shrinking, membrane blebbing and apoptotic bodies were observed after 24h of exposure. A preliminary global gene expression profile was obtained by means of microarray analysis and revealed valuable information about the molecular mechanisms and signal transduction associated with 70% ethanolic Sutherlandia frutescens extracts.
Stander
B A
BA
Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria, P.O. Box 2034, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
Marais
S
S
Steynberg
T J
TJ
Theron
D
D
Joubert
F
F
Albrecht
C
C
Joubert
A M
AM
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D002452:Cell Count; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D048430:Cell Shape; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008940:Mitotic Index; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D010936:Plant Extracts