Cytotoxic and apoptogenic effects of Strobilanthes crispa Blume extracts on nasopharyngeal cancer cells

Abstract

The chemotherapeutic agents used to treat nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) exhibit low efficacy. Strobilanthes crispa Blume is widely used for its anticancer, diuretic and anti‑diabetic properties. The present study aimed to determine the cytotoxic and apoptogenic effects of S. crispa on CNE‑1 NPC cells. A 3‑(4,5‑dimethylthiazol‑2‑yl)‑2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of S. crispa against CNE‑1 cells. The rate of apoptosis was determined using propidium iodide staining and caspase assays. Ethyl acetate, hexane and chloroform extracts of S. crispa leaves all exhibited cytotoxic effects on CNE‑1 cells, at a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 119, 123.5 and 161.7 µg/ml, respectively. In addition, hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of S. crispa stems inhibited CNE‑1 cell proliferation, at a IC50 of 49.4, 148.3 and 163.5 µg/ml, respectively. Flow cytometric analysis revealed an increased proportion of cells in the sub G1 phase and a decreased proportion of cells in the G2/M phase, following treatment with the extracts. However, the extracts did not alter the activities of caspase ‑3/7, ‑8 and ‑9. No cytotoxic effect was observed when the cells were treated with the methanol and water extracts of S. crispa stems and leaves. In conclusion, the S. crispa extracts were cytotoxic against CNE‑1 cells and these extracts were able to induce apoptosis, independent of caspase activation.

Anticancer mechanisms of Strobilanthes crispa Blume hexane extract on liver and breast cancer cell lines

“…A previous study demonstrated that S. crispa leaves possess anti-diabetic, diuretic and blood pressure lowering properties (17). Furthermore, a number of studies have recorded the potency of S. crispa extracts in inhibiting cancer cell growth (22)(23)(24)(25).…”

Protective Efficacy of Two Endemic Strobilanthes of Southern Western Ghats Kerala

“…In colon cancer cell lines, 50 % death was induced by a very low concentration of S. virendrakumarana shoot extract with a value of 111.99±4.91 µg/ml. In the previous studies, five different leaf extracts of S. crispus (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous) in CNE-1 cells, the ethyl acetate extract showed the strongest anti-proliferative effect on the cells with an LC 50 value of 119.00±48.10 µg/ml [19] . The antiglycolytic activities of S. crispus fraction and its bioactive components on triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) are attributed to the bioactivity of the plant [20] .…”

Screening for Anti-Hyperuricemia Potential of Some Indonesian Medicinal Plants Through Xanthine Oxidase Inhibition in Vitro Assay

“…The results of in vitro xanthine oxidase inhibition assay of some selected gout medicinal plants from Indonesia was summarized in The Strobilanthes crispa L. Blume leaves, known as keji beling in Indonesia, have been reported to have many pharmacological activities, including as anti-hyperglycemic, anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, wound healing anti-cancer on breast, liver cervical, lung, prostate and nasopharyngeal cancer, anti-inflamatory, antitrypanosomal, anti-obesity [31][32][33][34][35][36][37]. However, the research on the Strobilanthes crispa L. Blume leaves as an anti-hyperuricemia has never been studied before, thus, it in necessary to do further research regarding the potential of this plant to be a gout medicine.…”