Identification of antitumoral agents against human pancreatic cancer cells from Asteraceae and Lamiaceae plant extracts

Abstract

BackgroundPancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and mortal cancers. Although several drugs have been proposed for its treatment, it remains resistant and new alternatives are needed. In this context, plants and their derivatives constitute a relevant source of bioactive components which might efficiently inhibit tumor cell progression.MethodsIn this study, we have analyzed the potential anti-carcinogenic effect of different Asteraceae (Achillea millefolium and Calendula officinalis) and Lamiaceae (Melissa officinalis and Origanum majorana) plant extracts obtained by different green technologies (Supercritical CO2 Extraction –SFE- and Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction –UAE-) to identify efficient plant extracts against human pancreatic cancer cells that could constitute the basis of novel treatment approaches.ResultsAsteraceae extracts showed better results as antitumoral agents than Lamiaceae by inducing cytotoxicity and inhibiting cell transformation, and SFE extracts were most efficient than UAE extracts. In addition, SFE derived plant extracts from Achillea millefolium and Calendula officinalis displayed synergism with the chemotherapeutic 5-Fluororacil.ConclusionThese results show how Yarrow and Marigold SFE-derived extracts can inhibit pancreatic cancer cell growth, and could be proposed for a comprehensive study to determine the molecular mechanisms involved in their bioactivity with the final aim to propose them as potential adjuvants in pancreatic cancer therapy.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-018-2322-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Marigold Supercritical Extract as Potential Co-adjuvant in Pancreatic Cancer: The Energetic Catastrophe Induced via BMP8B Ends Up With Autophagy-Induced Cell Death

“…As we have previously described (Mouhid et al, 2018), the IC 50 (dose concentration that inhibits 50% of cell proliferation) of marigold SFE after 48 h of treatment was 39.8 (± 4.6) µg/ml for MiaPaca-2 cells. The LC 50 (µg/ml) (concentration needed for 50% cell death) after 48 h of treatment was 78.5 (± 1.4) µg/ml.…”

“…In the last years, there is an increased interest on targeting the altered cancer metabolism. In a previous work, we have described the antitumoral effects of marigold SFE in pancreatic cancer cell lines (marigold SFE inhibited cell viability, induced apoptosis, and augmented the percentage of necrotic cells) (Mouhid et al, 2018). For this reason, herein, we aimed to investigate if marigold SFE could target cancer cell metabolism, and more specifically the energetic metabolism (glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration) of pancreatic cancer cells.…”

“…#G7571) following the manufacturer's recommendations. Briefly, MiaPaca-2 cells were first pretreated (48 h) with marigold SFE at ½ × IC 50 , 1 × IC 50 , and 2 × IC 50 , with IC 50 being equal to 39.8 (± 4.6) µg/ml as previously described (Mouhid et al, 2018). Non-treated cells were kept as controls.…”

“…MiaPaca-2 and Panc-1 cells (0.35 × 10 6 cells) were treated with marigold SFE for 48 h at different doses: ½ IC 50 , 1 × IC 50 , 2 × IC 50 , with IC 50 values being equal to 39.8 µg/ml (± 4.6) and 43.2 µg/ml (±7.9), respectively, for MiaPaca-2 and Panc-1, as previously described (Mouhid et al, 2018). Non-treated cells were kept as controls.…”

“…Recently, we have described the antitumoral properties of marigold supercritical fluid extract (marigold SFE) (Martin et al, 2016;García-Risco et al, 2017), in pancreatic cancer cell lines (Mouhid et al, 2018). Marigold SFE diminished the cell viability of pancreatic cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, induced apoptotic cell death, increased the percentage of necrotic cells, inhibited the anchorage-independent cell growth, and synergized with the chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu), used in clinics.…”