Anticancer Potential of Sutherlandia frutescens and Xysmalobium undulatum in LS180 Colorectal Cancer Mini-Tumors

Abstract

Colorectal cancer remains to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with millions of patients diagnosed each year. Although chemotherapeutic drugs are routinely used to treat cancer, these treatments have severe side effects. As a result, the use of herbal medicines has gained increasing popularity as a treatment for cancer. In this study, two South African medicinal plants widely used to treat various diseases, Sutherlandia frutescens and Xysmalobium undulatum, were evaluated for potential activity against colorectal cancer. This potential activity for the treatment of colorectal cancer was assessed relative to the known chemotherapeutic drug, paclitaxel. The cytotoxic activity was considered in an advanced three-dimensional (3D) sodium alginate encapsulated LS180 colorectal cancer functional spheroid model, cultured in clinostat-based rotating bioreactors. The LS180 cell mini-tumors were treated for 96 h with two concentrations of each of the crude aqueous extracts or paclitaxel. S. frutescens extract markedly decreased the soluble protein content, while decreasing ATP and AK per protein content to below detectable limits after only 24 h exposure. X. undulatum extract also decreased the soluble protein content, cell viability, and glucose consumption. The results suggested that the two phytomedicines have potential to become a source of new treatments against colorectal cancer.

The Fight against Cancer by Microgravity: The Multicellular Spheroid as a Metastasis Model

“…A recent paper published by Gouws et al [ 145 ] reported the use of a 2D Clinostat to tissue engineer 3D LS180 cell mini-tumors, suitable for drug testing. The authors tested the efficacy of the South African plants Sutherlandia frutescens and Xysmalobium undulatum in comparison to the standard paclitaxel treatment.…”

Plants Used for the Traditional Management of Cancer in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: A Review of Ethnobotanical Surveys, Ethnopharmacological Studies and Active Phytochemicals

“…The literature survey revealed that several researchers have investigated the anticancer activity of S. frutescens . Research conducted by Gouws et al [ 86 ] showed that the aqueous extract of S. frutescens decreased LS180 colorectal cell growth and viability, with the IC 50 value of 2.63 mg/mL, as compared to paclitaxel, the positive control used in the study. Another study by Chinkwo [ 87 ] also revealed that the crude aqueous extract of S. frutescens showed significant cytotoxicity against neoplastic (cervical carcinoma) cells.…”

“…aculeastrum Itunga, Umthuma Solanaceae Fruits and leaves NT, NE A decoction is prepared from boiled fruit is filtered and then administered orally Breast cancer [ 98 ] 23 Sutherlandia frutescens L. R.Br. Umnwele Fabaceae leaves, flower and seed V, NE Decoctions are prepared from all the plant parts and administered orally Colorectal cancer [ 59 , 86 ] 24 Tulbaghia violacea Harv Utswelane Alliaceae Leave, bulb NT, E The fresh bulbs are boiled in water and the decoctions are taken orally Esophageal cancer [ 92 , 99 ] NT: neither rare nor threatened; V: vulnerable; E: endemic; NE: nonendemic, *: not available. …”

Unravelling the Anticancer Mechanisms of Traditional Herbal Medicines with Metabolomics

“…Infusions from the leaves and stems of these plants are traditionally used for cancer treatment [137]. A few scientific reports also exist to support its anticancer effects [141]. Interestingly, several studies have reported that its usage is not associated with any physiological toxicity, strengthening the rationale to evaluate its anticancer efficacy and mechanism of action further [135].…”