Evaluation of putative cytotoxic activity of crude extracts from Onopordum acanthium leaves and Spartium junceum flowers against the U-373 glioblastoma cell line.

Yousef Abdel-Kareem Abusamra, Michele Scuruchi, Sofiane Habibatni, Zenib Maammeri, Samir Benayache, Angela D'Ascola, Angela Avenoso, Giuseppe Maurizio Campo, Edoardo Spina

Journal: Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences 2016;28(4):1225-32

PMID: 26142501

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Abstract

Crude hydromethanolic (80% methanol) extracts produced by maceration of Onopordum acanthium leaves and Spartium junceum flowers were tested for cytotoxic effects against glioblastoma U-373 tumour cells. Onopordum acanthium extract was found to be ~5 times more cytotoxic than Spartium junceum (IC50 values of 309 and 1602μg/ml, respectively). Similar to most chemotherapeutic agents killing through the intrinsic pathway, Onopordum killed the cells via apoptosis, which was confirmed by the activation of caspase-3. Spartium exerted its weak cytotoxic effect, presumably by a caspase-independent, non-apoptotic form of necrotic-like programmed cell death. Onopordum acanthium is considered a promising plant for the researchers investigating putative biological activities, particularly antitumour and immune-related activity.

Address: Deptt. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Policlinico Universitario, School of Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.; Deptt. of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, Policlinico Universitario, School of Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.; Laboratory of Development of Natural Resources and Synthesis of Bioactive Substances, Mentouri University, Constantine, Algeria / Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Mentouri University, Constantine, Algeria.; Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Mentouri University, Constantine, Algeria.; Laboratory of Development of Natural Resources and Synthesis of Bioactive Substances, Mentouri University, Constantine, Algeria.

Link outs

Free resources

Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/braintumors.html

Research Materials:

https://antibodies.cancer.gov/detail/CPTC-CASP3-1

MeSH Terms: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic, Brain Neoplasms, Caspase 3, Cell Line, Tumor, Flowers, Glioblastoma, Humans, Onopordum, Plant Extracts, Plant Leaves, Spartium