Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids Decrease the Proliferation, Invasion, and Secretion of Clinically Relevant Cytokines by Cultured Human Colon Cancer Cells

Abstract

Alkaloids isolated from members of the Amaryllidaceae plant family are promising anticancer agents. The purpose of the current study was to determine if the isocarbostyrils narciclasine, pancratistatin, lycorane, lycorine, crinane, and haemanthamine inhibit phenomena related to cancer progression in vitro. To achieve this, we examined the proliferation, adhesion, and invasion of cultured human colon cancer cells via MTT assay and Matrigel-coated Boyden chambers. In addition, Luminex assays were used to quantify the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and cytokines associated with poor clinical outcomes. We found that all alkaloids decreased cell proliferation regardless of TP53 status, with narciclasine exhibiting the greatest potency. The effects on cell proliferation also appear to be specific to cancer cells. Narciclasine, lycorine, and haemanthamine decrease both adhesion and invasion but with various potencies depending on the cell line. In addition, narciclasine, lycorine, and haemanthamine decreased the secretion of MMP-1, -2, and -7, as well as the secretion of the cytokines pentraxin 3 and vascular endothelial growth factor. In conclusion, the present study shows that Amaryllidaceae alkaloids decrease phenomena and cytokines associated with colorectal cancer progression, supporting future investigations regarding their potential as multifaceted drug candidates.

Advances on the Amaryllidacea Alkaloids Collected in South Africa, Andean South America and the Mediterranean Basin

“…This review describes the chemical and biological properties of alkaloids isolated in the last two decades from different Amaryllidaceae species. The different sections (Sections 2-4) report, in detail, the characterization of alkaloids isolated from Amaryllidaceae species diffused in regions of Southern Africa, Andean South America Among isocarbostyryls, narciclasine and pancratistatin (152 and 153, Figure 10) are amide analogues of lycorine that are very well known for they anticancer activity [6,[110][111][112]. Narciclasine (152) was isolated together with haemamthamine (5) from the bulbs of Narcissus pseudonarcissus [113].…”

“…Among isocarbostyryls, narciclasine and pancratistatin ( 152 and 153 , Figure 10 ) are amide analogues of lycorine that are very well known for they anticancer activity [ 6 , 110 , 111 , 112 ]. Narciclasine ( 152 ) was isolated together with haemamthamine ( 5 ) from the bulbs of Narcissus pseudonarcissus [ 113 ].…”

The Role of Pentraxin 3 in Gastrointestinal Cancers

“…This was confirmed by the observation of an increased PTX3 concentration due to virus activity. Interestingly, the work of Mathieu et al [71] described the usefulness of using alkaloids isolated from the Amaryllidaceae plant as anticancer agents. They revealed that those alkaloids decreed cell proliferation and PTX3 concentration (as well as VEGF and MMPs), regardless of TP53 status, which suggests the possibility of their use as multifaceted drug candidates.…”

Antitumor evaluation of amaryllidaceae alkaloids on cancer cell lines: A literature review

“…Among these compounds, amaryllidaceae alkaloids have gained attention for their potential antitumor activities. This botanical family harbors several species rich in alkaloids, such as crinine, lycorine, narciprimine, and galantamine, which have been subject to increasing interest in oncological research [1].…”