Asparagus racemosus leaf extract inhibits growth of UOK 146 renal cell carcinoma cell line: simultaneous oncogenic PRCCTFE3 fusion transcript inhibition and apoptosis independent cell death.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate anti-cancer activity of Asparagus racemosus (AR) leaf extract on UOK146, a renal cell carcinoma cell line, and explore its mechanism of action.


METHODS
Dried AR leaves were extracted with chloroform and dissolved in DMSO. This extract was applied to UOK146 and cell death was estimated by MTT assay. In addition PRCC-TFE3 fusion transcripts were detected by real time PCR.


RESULTS
Extract was found to be cytotoxic with an IC50 of 0.9 mg/ml as estimated by dose response curve. Antitumor activity of the permissible doses of the extract was assessed by the down regulation of PRCC-TFE3 fusion transcript (38%) responsible for oncogenicity of the UOK146 cell line. No increment in the BAX, a proapoptotic marker level was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence of antiproliferative effect, PRCC-TFE3 fusion transcript inhibition and static BAX level clearly indicate that AR extract provides or elicits an apoptosis independent anticancer effect on RCC cells by some specific mechanism of regulation.
Centre for Genetic Disorders, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India E-mail : parimal@bhu.ac.in and hellow_parimal@yahoo.com.
Shiv Prakash
SP
Verma
Vikash Chandra
VC
Tripathi
Parimal
P
Das
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D027761:Asparagus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D051778:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000235:genetics*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D051778:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; C415042:PRCC protein, human; D010936:Plant Extracts; C069203:TFE3 protein, human