title: Crude aqueous extracts of Pluchea indica (L.) Less. inhibit proliferation and migration of cancer cells through induction of p53-dependent cell death.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pluchea indica (L.) Less. (Asteraceae) is a perennial shrub plant with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant medicinal properties. However, the anti-cancer properties of its aqueous extracts have not been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-proliferation, anti-migration, and pro-apoptotic properties of crude aqueous extracts of P. indica leaf and root on human malignant glioma cancer cells and human cervical cancer cells, and the underlying molecular mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  GBM8401 human glioma cells and HeLa cervical carcinoma cells were treated with various concentrations of crude aqueous extracts of P. indica leaf and root and cancer cell proliferation and viability were measured by cell growth curves, trypan blue exclusions, and the tetrazolium reduction assay. Effects of the crude aqueous extracts on focus formation, migration, and apoptosis of cancer cells were studied as well. The molecular mechanism that contributed to the anti-cancer activities of crude aqueous extracts of P. indica root was also examined using Western blotting analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Crude aqueous extracts of P. indica leaf and root suppressed proliferation, viability, and migration of GBM8401 and HeLa cells. Treatment with crude aqueous extracts of P. indica leaf and root for 48 hours resulted in a significant 75% and 70% inhibition on proliferation and viability of GBM8401 and HeLa cancer cells, respectively. Crude aqueous extracts of P. indica root inhibited focus formation and promoted apoptosis of HeLa cells. It was found that phosphorylated-p53 and p21 were induced in GBM8401 and HeLa cells treated with crude aqueous extracts of P. indica root. Expression of phosphorylated-AKT was decreased in HeLa cells treated with crude aqueous extracts of P. indica root.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The in vitro anti-cancer effects of crude aqueous extracts of P. indica leaf and root indicate that it has sufficient potential to warrant further examination and development as a new anti-cancer agent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Chung-Lung
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Chiu-Li
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Chien-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chao-Neng
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: Ya-Zhe
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Li-Jen
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Yi-Ren
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D019659:Asteraceae; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D010766:Phosphorylation; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; C493956:CDKN1A protein, human; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53