title: In vitro effects of Sutherlandia frutescens water extracts on cell numbers, morphology, cell cycle progression and cell death in a tumorigenic and a non-tumorigenic epithelial breast cell line.
abstract: Sutherlandia frutescens is a South African herb traditionally used for internal cancers, diabetes, a variety of inflammatory conditions and recently to improve the overall health in cancer and HIV/AIDS patients. The in vitro effects of S. frutescens extracts were evaluated on cell numbers, morphology, cell cycle progression and cell death. Dose-dependent studies (2-10 mg/ml) revealed a decrease in malignant cell numbers when compared to their controls. S. frutescens extracts (10 mg/ml) decreased cell growth in a statistically significantly manner to 26% and 49% (P<0.001) in human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and human non-tumorigenic epithelial mammary gland cells (MCF-12A) respectively after 72 h of exposure. Cell density was significantly compromised and hypercondensed chromatin, cytoplasmic shrinking, membrane blebbing and apoptotic bodies were more pronounced in the MCF-7 cell line. Both S. frutescens-treated cell lines exhibited and increased tendency for acridine orange staining, suggesting increased lysosomal and/or autophagy activity. Flow cytometry showed an increase in the sub G(1) apoptotic fraction and an S phase arrest in both the 5 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml S. frutescens-treated cells. S. frutescens induced an increase in apoptosis in both cell lines as detected by Annexin V and propidium iodide flow cytometric measurement. At 10 mg/ml, late stages of apoptosis were more prominent in MCF-7 S. frutescens-treated cells when compared to the MCF-12A cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed hallmarks of increased vacuolarization and hypercondensed chromatin, suggesting autophagic and apoptotic processes. The preliminary study demonstrates that S. frutescens water extracts exert a differential action mechanism in non-tumorigenic MCF-12A cells when compared to tumorigenic MCF-7 cells, warranting future studies on this multi-purpose medicinal plant in southern Africa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, PO Box 2034, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. standerandre@gmail.com
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stander
authors.forename: Sumari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marais
authors.forename: Voula
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stivaktas
authors.forename: Christiaan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vorster
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: Mona-Liza
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lottering
authors.forename: Annie M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Joubert
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D007887:Fabaceae; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves; D018547:Plant Stems
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D010936:Plant Extracts