Anticancer properties of extracts from Opuntia humifusa against human cervical carcinoma cells.
In this study, we found that the total polyphenol and ascorbic acid levels in the fruit of Opuntia humifusa are higher than those in other parts of the plant. We further hypothesized that antioxidants in O. humifusa might affect the growth or survival of cancer cells. Hexane extracts of seeds and ethyl acetate extracts of fruits and stems significantly suppressed the proliferation of HeLa cervical carcinoma cells, but did not affect the proliferation of normal human BJ fibroblasts. Additionally, the extracts of O. humifusa induced G1 phase arrest in HeLa cells. The O. humifusa extracts reduced the levels of G1 phase-associated cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4), and phosphorylated retinoblastoma proteins. Moreover, p21(WAF1/Cip1) and p53 expression significantly increased after treatment. We examined the effects of ethyl acetate extracts of O. humifusa fruit (OHF) on HeLa cells xenograft tumor growth. OHF treatment significantly reduced tumor volume and this decrease was correlated with decreased Cdk4 and cyclin D1 expression. Furthermore, flavonoids, trans Taxifolin, and dihydrokaempferol, were isolated from OHF. Thus, this extract may be a promising candidate for treating human cervical carcinoma.
1 Institute of Life Science and Natural Resources, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University , Seoul, Korea.
Sahng-Wook
SW
Hahm
Jieun
J
Park
Se-Yeong
SY
Oh
Chul-Won
CW
Lee
Kun-Young
KY
Park
Hyunggee
H
Kim
Yong-Suk
YS
Son
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints / Q000187:drug effects; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000378:metabolism; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006367:HeLa Cells; D064593:Heterografts; D006801:Humans; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D029747:Opuntia / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein; D019938:Cyclin D1; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; D001205:Ascorbic Acid
Cdk4; Cyclin D; G1 phase arrest; HeLa cell; Opuntia humifusa; antiproliferative activity