title: Extracts from Epilobium sp. herbs induce apoptosis in human hormone-dependent prostate cancer cells by activating the mitochondrial pathway.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this work was to determine the effect of standardized aqueous extracts from Epilobium angustifolium L., E. parviflorum Schreb. and E. hirsutum L. herbs on the apoptosis of hormone-dependent prostate cancer cells (LNCaP).
  
  
  METHODS
  The extracts were characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS/MS). Apoptosis in the cells was analysed using Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate, and mitochondrial potential, Δψm , using JC-1 by flow cytometry. Caspase-3 activity was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using the HPLC-DAD-MS/MS method, 38 constituents were characterized. Extracts contained significant amounts of oenothein B as well as flavonoids and phenolic acids. Exposure of LNCaP cells to the extracts (20, 50 and 70 μg/ml) resulted in a significant increase in the level apoptotic cells, from 2.86 ± 0.5% (for untreated cells) up to 86.6 ± 1.0%. All extracts significantly decreased the mitochondrial potential, Δψm , resulting in an increase in the activity of caspase-3 from 0.3 ± 0.07 ng/mg of protein (for untreated cells) up to 1.26 ± 0.32 ng/mg of protein.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated that Epilobium extracts are active against LNCaP prostate cancer cells and that their apoptotic activity is related to activation of the mitochondrial pathway. The high oenothein B content may influence the biological activity of these plant materials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy and Molecular Basis of Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stolarczyk
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naruszewicz
authors.forename: Anna K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kiss
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D031666:Epilobium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D010936:Plant Extracts; D053148:Caspase 3