Evidence of biological activity of Mentha species extracts on apoptotic and autophagic targets on murine RAW264.7 and human U937 monocytic cells

Abstract

Context: Mints (Lamiaceae) are used as traditional remedies for the treatment of several diseases. Their extracts are recognized as anti-inflammatory compounds.Objective: This study characterized the cytotoxic effects of Mentha spicata L. (MS), Mentha pulegium L. (MP) and Mentha rotundifolia (L). Huds (MR) on macrophage cells (RAW264.7; U937) and determined their impact on apoptosis and autophagy, which can play a role in controlling inflammation.Materials and methods: The extracts were prepared in culture medium and tested from 25 to 400 μg/mL after 24–48 h of treatment. To show the effect of the aqueous ethanol (50%) extracts on apoptosis and authophagy, the presence of cleaved caspase-3, and the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II was evaluated by Western blotting.Results: Compared with the MTT assay, crystal violet showed a pronounced decrease in the number of cells with all extracts at 48 h. Calculated IC50 values were 257.31, 207.82 and 368.02 μg/mL for MS, MP and MR, respectively. A significant increase in PI positive cells was observed with all extracts at 200-400 μg/mL. Mitochondrial dysfunctions and nuclear morphological changes were detected with MS and MR extracts at 400 μg/mL. At this concentration, no cleaved caspase-3 was found whereas stabilized caspase-3 in its dimeric form was identified. MS and MR extracts also favour LC3-I to LC3-II conversion which is a criterion of autophagy.Conclusions: The cytotoxic profiles depend on the extracts considered; MS extract showed the strong activity. However, all the mint extracts studied interact with the apoptotic and autophagic pathways at elevated concentrations.

Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Cytoprotective Properties of Ethanolic Mint Extracts from Algeria on 7-Ketocholesterol-Treated Murine RAW 264.7 Macrophages

“…It is important to emphasize that the use of 7KC (25–50 µM) on different cell types is a relevant model: (a) to evaluate the relationship between oxidative stress, apoptosis and autophagy; (b) to specify the part played by the organelles (mitochondria, peroxisomes and lysosomes) in these processes; (c) to determine the interactions between these organelles, and (d) to identify natural and synthetic molecules able to prevent 7KC-induced side effects [22]. In addition, mint extracts were used in a range of non-toxic concentrations: (25 to 400 µg/mL) to study their effects on cell death, and (200 and 400 µg/mL) to determine their impact on cytokine secretion [30].…”

“…Among these phytochemicals, phenolic compounds and carotenoids include many different families of aromatic secondary metabolites in plants. Interestingly, mint extracts at their bioactive dilutions had no observable toxicity in our previous study [30].…”

Antioxidant, Antifungal, Antibiofilm, and Cytotoxic Activities of Mentha spp. Essential Oils

“…The genus of Mentha have also been shown to have many biological activities, and especially anti-tumoral activity. Many studies have demonstrated the effect of Mentha species EOs as inhibiting the cell proliferation of numerous tumor cells by acting on mitochondrial dysfunctions, apoptosis induction, and autophagy processes [84].…”

Polyphenolic Profiling, Quantitative Assessment and Biological Activities of Tunisian Native Mentha rotundifolia (L.) Huds.

“…Despite that the genus Mentha has been largely studied for both essential oil and phenolic content, chemical characterization of polyphenols from M. rotundifolia has been documented in very few reports but never from Tunisian populations [17,18]. In view of exploring the chemistry and the bioactivity potential of M. rotundifolia from Tunisia, we carried out a collection of plant samples from different sites.…”