Botanical Therapeutics (Part II): Antimicrobial and In Vitro Anticancer Activity against MCF7 Human Breast Cancer Cells of Chamomile, Parsley and Celery Alcoholic Extracts

Abstract

Background: This study was designed as a continuation of a complex investigation about the phytochemical composition and biological activity of chamomile, parsley and celery extracts against A375 human melanoma and dendritic cells. Objective: The main aim was the evaluation of the antimicrobial potential of selected extracts as well as the in vitro anticancer activity against MCF7 human breast cancer cells. Methods: In order to complete the picture regarding the phytochemical composition molecular fingerprint was sketched out by the help of FTIR spectroscopy The activity of two enzymes (acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase) after incubation with the three extracts was spectrophotometrically assessed. The antimicrobial potential was evaluated by disk diffusion method. The in vitro anti-cancer potential against MCF7 human breast cancer cells was appraised by MTT, LDH, wound healing, cell cycle, DAPI, Annexin-V-PI assays. Results: Results showed variations between the investigated extracts in terms of inhibitory activity against enzymes such as acetyl- and butyrilcholinesterase. Chamomile and parsley extracts were active only against tested Gram-positive cocci, while all tested extracts displayed antifungal effects. Among the screened samples at the highest tested concentration, namely 60 µg/mL parsley was the most active extract in terms of reducing the viability of MCF7 - human breast adenocarcinoma cell line and inducing the release of lactate dehydrogenase. On the other hand chamomile and celery extracts manifested potent anti-migratory effects. Furthermore, celery extract was the most active in terms of total apoptotic events, while chamomile extract induced the highest necrosis rate. Conclusion: The screened samples containing phytochemicals belonging in majority to the class of flavonoids and polyphenols can represent candidates for antimicrobial and anticancer agents.

Comparative Chemical and Biological Activity of Selective Herbal Extracts

“…Aliquot of 0.05 mL of LOX in borate buffer was mixed with 0.05 mL of each sample in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and left to stand for 10 minutes at room temperature, and then 2 mL of linoleic acid were added to these mixtures. The absorbance of each sample at 234 nm was registered for 2 minutes [4,5,7,12,19]. Butyrylcholinesterase/Acetylcholinesterase inhibition (Ellman's method).…”

“…Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from Electrophorus electricus or butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) with acetylthiocholine iodide (0.2 M) as a substrate, were used for this test. The inhibitory potential of Teucrium extracts was assessed by Ellman's method with slight changes [5,7,13,17,19]. Briefly, in the reaction medium, containing the enzyme (0.2 U/mL in phosphate buffer), 0.2 M Ellman solution and the sample (Teucrium extracts diluted in DMSO) were added.…”

“…The stock solution was filtrated and used for UHPLC (ultra-highperformance liquid chromatography) analysis. The system consisted of a Thermo UltiMate 3000 chromatograph with a quaternary pump, an autosampler, a Phenomenex Luna Omega Polar C18 column (100 x 150 x 4.6 mm), and a UV-PDA (photodiode array detector) [7,18]. Thus, each sample was injected in an amount of 2.5 µL and eluted with a mixture of acetonitrile with 0.1% phosphoric acid (A) and phosphoric acid 1% (B) and a flow of 0.8 mL/min.…”

“…However, the greatest difference between AChE and BuChE is their substrate specificity and selectivity for certain inhibitors. The structures and functions have already been established, AChE coordinating cholinergic transmission in neuronal and muscle tissues, while serum BuChE may be considered a marker for thyroid, liver and kidney disorders [6,7,9]. Therefore, although the investigated samples were less active than galantamine used as standard, their inhibition potential should be taken into consideration.…”

Inorganic Element Determination of Romanian Populus nigra L. Buds Extract and In Vitro Antiproliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Evaluation on A549 Human Lung Cancer Cell Line

“…A549 cells were examined by flow cytometry (FACSCalibur, Becton Dickinson) using the fluorescence channel FL1 for Annexin and FL2 for PI, and results were interpreted using Flowing Software 2.5.1. [ 38 ].…”