Promising anticancer activities of Justicia simplex D. Don. in cellular and animal models.
BACKGROUND
Justicia simplex D. Don. belonging to the family of Acanthaceae has been traditionally used for treatment of rheumatism, inflammation and bronchitis. The plant is traditionally considered as an anticancer medicine and is used by healers of Karnataka to treat various types of cancers.


OBJECTIVE
The present study aims at the elucidation of anticancer activity of various extracts of J. simplex, isolation of its active constituents and assessment of the role in growth inhibition and angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo.


METHODS
Extracts of J. simplex was evaluated for the in vitro cytotoxic effect by Brine Shrimp Lethality assay, Trypan Blue dye exclusion assay and antiproliferative assay. In vivo cytotoxicity of the extracts were determined by liquid tumor model in Swiss albino mice. Tumor prognosis, metastasis and angiogenesis were assessed by VEGF expression of the solid tumor. Phytochemical analysis afforded the isolation of a compound, the chemical structure of which was established using IR, NMR and TOF-MS spectral method. The compound was also evaluated for the growth inhibitory and angiogenic effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The petroleum ether extract revealed potent anticancer activity in in vitro and in vivo studies. The anti-angiogenic effect is due to the down regulation of VEGF expression. The growth inhibitory assay revealed that the isolated compound namely triacontanoic ester of 5''-hydroxyjustisolin is responsible for the anticancer activity.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Cheruvandoor Campus, Ettumanoor PO, Kottayam 686631, Kerala, India. Electronic address: littyjimmyalappatt@gmail.com.
Litty
L
Joseph
Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India.
Jesil Mathew
JM
Aranjani
Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India.
K Sreedhara Ranganath
KS
Pai
Department of Chemistry, Shri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management, Bantakal, Udupi 574115, Karnataka, India.
K K
KK
Srinivasan
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001156:Artemia; D002286:Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D027902:Justicia; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D051379:Mice; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047368:Tumor Burden / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D010936:Plant Extracts
Antitumor; Cytotoxicity; Justicia simplex; Migration assay; Triacontanoic ester of 5″-hydroxyjustisolin; VEGF