title: Pro-apoptotic and cytotoxic effects of enriched fraction of Elytranthe parasitica (L.) Danser against HepG2 Hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer accounts for more than one million deaths worldwide. Current treatment modality for HCC is marginally effective. Plants belonging to Mistletoe family (Loranthaceae) have been used in chemotherapy for many years. The present study was aimed at exploring the anti-proliferative, pro-oxidant and pro-apoptotic potential of stem of Elytranthe parasitica (L.) Danser (EP), a parasitic shrub belonging to Loranthaceae.
  
  
  METHODS
  Elytranthe parasitica (L.) Danser, a climbing parasitic shrub was investigated for its cytotoxic activity against HepG2, a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line by Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Further, pro-oxidant activity of EP extract/fractions was studied using copper phenanthroline assay. To understand the mechanism of cell death, the pro-apoptotic effects of Hep-G2 cells treated with EP extract/fractions were visualized by dual staining using acridine orange and ethidium bromide, a morphological marker of apoptosis. Phytochemical profiling of EP was explored by estimating the phenol, flavonoid and tannin content in its various fractions and extract. The occurrence of gallic acid, a principal polyphenol in EP extract and fractions was detected and further quantified using HPTLC (High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography) fingerprinting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Active fraction of Elytranthe parasitica, EP.DEE exhibited potent cytotoxic activity in a dose dependent manner against HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cell line with an IC50 of 56.7 ± 7.8 μg/mL. Dual staining with acridine orange and ethidium bromide revealed that HepG2 cells treated with EP active fractions underwent cell death chiefly by apoptosis. Highest phenol, flavonoid and tannin content were observed in active fractions, EP.EA (Ethyl acetate fraction) and EP.DEE (Diethyl ether fraction). Gallic acid was identified and quantified in EP extract and active fractions, EP.DEE and EP.EA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate EP active fraction could be a promising contender in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
authors: Department of Pharmacognosy, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, 576 104, Karnataka, India.
authors: Nimmy
authors: N
authors: Kumar
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, 576 104, Karnataka, India.
authors: Subhankar
authors: S
authors: Biswas
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, 576 104, Karnataka, India.
authors: Asha Elizabeth
authors: AE
authors: Mathew
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, 576 104, Karnataka, India.
authors: Subin
authors: S
authors: Varghese
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, 576 104, Karnataka, India.
authors: Jessy Elizabeth
authors: JE
authors: Mathew
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, 576 104, Karnataka, India.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Nandakumar
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, 576 104, Karnataka, India.
authors: Jesil Mathew
authors: JM
authors: Aranjani
authors: Department of Pharmacognosy, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, 576 104, Karnataka, India. avemaria_lobo@yahoo.com.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Lobo
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D005707:Gallic Acid; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D013634:Tannins; D064028:Tracheophyta / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013634:Tannins; D005707:Gallic Acid
keywords: Anti-proliferative; Apoptosis; Elytranthe parasitica; Gallic acid; HepG2; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Phytochemical