Aristolochia longa aqueous extract triggers the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis in BL41 Burkitt′s lymphoma cells

Abstract

Aristolochia longa (from the family Aristolochiaceae) is widely used for cancer treatment in Algerian traditional medicine. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptogenic activities. The phytochemical composition and acute toxicity of aqueous extracts of the roots of A. longa from Algeria. An aqueous extract (decoction) of dried A. longa roots was prepared. The cytotoxic effects of this aqueous extract were then evaluated in Burkitt's lymphoma BL41 cells, by flow cytometry. The induction of apoptosis was assessed in two corroborative assays: The propidium iodide staining of cell DNA and flow cytometry analyses of light scattering. Mitochondrial membrane potential was investigated with the fluorescent dye DIOC6. The expression and activation of capases-3, -8 and -9 were assessed by Western blotting. Acute oral toxicity was evaluated with a test dose limited to 5000 mg/kg. Phytochemical screening of A. longa roots was performed with standard qualitative procedures. The aqueous extract of A. longa induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. The IC 50 of A. longa aqueous extract was estimated at about 15,63 µg/ml. The extract-induced apoptosis, a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and the activation of caspases-9 and -3 followed by PARP cleavage. A. longa could therefore be considered a promising source of novel treatments for Burkitt's and other lymphomas.

Ethnobotanical study, antifungal activity, phytochemical screening and total phenolic content of Algerian Aristolochia longa

“…Arthroleptis brevipes , Arachis monticola and Agrimonia pilosa are used as anticancer plants in Mexico [ 18 ]. We have recently demonstrated that an aqueous extract of A. longa induced apoptosis of BL41 cell line in a dose-dependent manner, by triggering the mitochondrial pathway [ 8 ]. Furthermore, our results revealed that skin infections are the second ailment group treated with A. longa in Mascara.…”

“…In our previous study, we demonstrated that the aqueous extract of A. longa induced cell growth inhibition of Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL41) cells in a dose-dependent manner. The extract induced apoptosis, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and the activation of caspases-9 and -3 followed by poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase cleavage [ 8 ].…”

Anticancer activity of Aristolochia ringens Vahl. (Aristolochiaceae)

“…Other studies have reported the anticancer activity of the DCM and MeOH, 17 chloroform, 33,34 and aqueous 19 extracts of other species of the Aristolochia family. The anticancer activity of various species of Aristolochia has been reported but not of AR.…”

“…37 Chaouki et al 34 investigated the antiproliferative effect of four different polarity extracts of Aristolochia baetica on the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and reported the chloroform extract to be the most active. Benarba et al 19 investigated the cytotoxic and apoptogenic activities of the aqueous extract of Aristolochia longa in Burkitt's lymphoma BL41 cells by flow cytometry. Based on the significant efficacy demonstrated in the study, the aqueous extract of Aristolochia longa was reported to be a promising source of novel treatment of Burkitt's and other lymphomas.…”

“…Based on the fact that some species of the genus Aristolochia have been reported to possess anticancer activity, 17–19 this study was designed to investigate the anticancer activity of root extracts of AR using in vitro and in vivo methods.…”