title: Effects of an extract of Celtis aetnensis (Tornab.) Strobl twigs on human colon cancer cell cultures.
abstract: Cancers of the digestive tract, in particular colorectal cancer (CRC), are among those most responsive to dietary modification. Research has shown that approximately 75% of all sporadic cases of CRC are directly influenced by diet. Many natural compounds have been investigated for their potential usefulness as cancer chemopreventive agents as they have been thought to suppress carcinogenesis mainly during the initiation phase due to their radical scavenger activity. Since there is an increasing interest in the in vivo protective effects of natural compounds contained in plants against oxidative damage involved in several human diseases such as cancer, the aim of the present research was to test the effects of a Celtis aetnensis (Tornab.) Strobl twig extract on a human colon carcinoma cell line (Caco2). In order to elucidate the mechanisms of action of this extract, LDH release, GSH content, ROS levels, caspase-3 and γ-GCS expression were also evaluated. The results revealed that the Celtis aetnensis extract reduced the cell viability of the Caco2 cells inducing apoptosis at the lowest concentration and necrosis at higher dosages. In addition, this extract caused an increase in the levels of ROS, a decrease in RSH levels and in the expression of HO-1. The expression of γ-GCS was not modified in the Celtis aetnensis-treated Caco-2 cells. These results suggest an interference of this extract on the oxidant/antioxidant cell balance with consequent cell damage. The present study supports the growing body of data suggesting the bioactivities of Celtis aetnensis (Tornab.) Strobl and its potential impact on cancer therapy and on human health.
authors: Department of Drug Science, Biochemistry Section, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Rosaria
authors: R
authors: Acquaviva
authors: Department of Drug Science, Biochemistry Section, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Valeria
authors: V
authors: Sorrenti
authors: Department of Drug Science, Biochemistry Section, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Rosa
authors: R
authors: Santangelo
authors: Department of Bio-medical Sciences, Physiology Section, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Venera
authors: V
authors: Cardile
authors: Department of Drug Science, Biochemistry Section, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Tomasello
authors: Department of Drug Science, Biochemistry Section, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Malfa
authors: Department of Drug Science, Biochemistry Section, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Vanella
authors: Department of Bio-medical Sciences, Microbiology Section, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Amodeo
authors: Department of Bio-medical Sciences, Microbiology Section, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Genovese
authors: Department of Bio-medical Sciences, Microbiology Section, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Silvana
authors: S
authors: Mastrojeni
authors: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy.
authors: Michela
authors: M
authors: Pugliese
authors: Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, I-98168 Messina, Italy.
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Ragusa
authors: Department of Drug Science, Biochemistry Section, University of Catania, I-95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Di Giacomo
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D034401:Ulmaceae / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species