title: Pinocembrin enriched fraction of Elytranthe parasitica (L.) Danser induces apoptosis in HCT 116 colorectal cancer cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly predominant malignancy affecting millions worldwide. Plants belonging to Loranthaceae family have remarkable chemopreventive properties.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of the present study was to assess the antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of stem parts of Elytranthe parasitica (L.) Danser (EP) on colorectal cancer and identify the bioactive phytochemicals.
  
  
  METHODS
  EP methanol extract (EP.M) and its subsequent fractions were screened for antiproliferative activity in human colorectal carcinoma HCT 116 cell line. Phytocomposition of the bioactive fraction was analyzed by GC-MS. Further, apoptotic induction and cell cycle arrest was assessed in the most bioactive fractions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EP.DEE (Diethyl Ether) fraction and a subsequent fraction derived by column chromatography, Fraction 3A (FR 3A) significantly inhibited the proliferation of HCT 116 cells (P < 0.05). FR 3A triggered apoptosis and notably modulated the cell cycle checkpoints. GC-MS analysis of FR 3A revealed the presence of 24 phytochemicals, the most prominent of which was pinocembrin (70.67%), a flavonoid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hence, it could be speculated that pinocembrin and its related derivatives may be the chief phytochemicals involved in apoptosis - mediated cytotoxicity of the enriched fraction. Our findings indicate the enriched fraction is a promising candidate which could be developed into a natural chemotherapeutic product for colorectal cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Nimmy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Subhankar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Akhila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hosur Shrungeswara
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Sanchari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Basu Mallik
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Pulau Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mathew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hipolith Viji
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Jessy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Elizabeth Mathew
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Jesil
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nandakumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India. Electronic address: avemaria_lobo@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lobo
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms; D044950:Flavanones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045325:HCT116 Cells; D006801:Humans; D028183:Loranthaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D044950:Flavanones; D010936:Plant Extracts; C016063:pinocembrin
keywords: Apoptosis; Cell cycle; Colorectal carcinoma; HCT 116; Pinocembrin