Future in the Past: Azorella glabra Wedd. as a Source of New Natural Compounds with Antiproliferative and Cytotoxic Activity on Multiple Myeloma Cells

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy and, although the development of novel agents has improved survival of patients, to date, it remains incurable. Thus, newer and more effective therapeutic strategies against this malignancy are necessary. Plant extracts play an important role in anti-tumor drug discovery. For this reason, in the investigation of novel natural anti-MM agents, we evaluated the phytochemical profiles, in vitro antioxidant activity, and effects on MM cells of Azorella glabra (AG) Wedd. Total polyphenols (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), and terpenoids (TTeC) contents were different among samples and the richest fractions in polyphenols demonstrated a higher antioxidant activity in in vitro assays. Some fractions showed a dose and time dependent anti-proliferative activity on MM cells. The chloroform fraction (CHCl3) showed major effects in terms of reduction of cell viability, induction of apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest on MM cells. The apoptosis induction was also confirmed by the activation of caspase-3. Importantly, the CHCl3 fraction exhibited a negligible effect on the viability of healthy cells. These results encourage further investigations on AG extracts to identify specific bioactive compounds and to define their potential applications in MM.

Hura crepitans L. Extract: Phytochemical Characterization, Antioxidant Activity, and Nanoformulation

“…The ability of H. crepitans extracts to scavenge superoxide radical was evaluated spectrophotometrically according to a previously described procedure [17]. Superoxide radicals were generated by the phenazinemethosulfate-β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (PMS-NADH) system.…”

Phytochemicals of Minthostachys diffusa Epling and Their Health-Promoting Bioactivities

“…The four Md EtOH extracts from each plant material were combined and filtered through a Buchner funnel (0.45 µm) and dried. Then, a part of this extract (7 g in 100 mL of water) was subjected to liquid/liquid extraction in triplicate using n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol in order to separate the compounds on the basis of their increasing solvent polarity [15][16][17]. All fractions (n-hexane (MdH), chloroform (MdC), ethyl acetate (MdEA), n-butanol (MdB) and water (MdW)) were dried and stored in darkness at room temperature until further experimental use.…”

Advances in Azorella glabra Wedd. Extract Research: In Vitro Antioxidant Activity, Antiproliferative Effects on Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells and Bioactive Compound Characterization

“…Plant extracts play an important role in antitumor drug discovery thanks to their large structural diversity and low toxicity towards normal cells. Of note, they not only can target different pathways, like proliferation and differentiation in malignant cells [ 1 , 2 ], but can also reduce the resistance against chemotherapies [ 3 , 4 ] and can exhibit a synergistic effect with conventional drugs [ 5 , 6 ].…”

“…The necessary steps to isolate the biologically active compounds from plants are extraction, pharmacological screening, isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds, toxicological and clinical evaluations [ 7 ]. Most studies reported the extraction of bioactive compounds from aerial part (i.e., stem, leaves and flowers) of plants [ 2 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. The selection and the polarity of solvents used for the extraction are crucial, as the nature of the extracted compounds depends on them.…”

“…Recently, the antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticholinesterase activities of AG aerial parts extracts were described [ 10 ]. In addition, we previously reported that the chloroform fraction (CHCl 3 ), obtained from AG ethanolic extract by liquid/liquid extraction, induces, in vitro, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest and inhibits cell migration of multiple myeloma (MM) cells [ 2 ]. Today, there are no additional studies reporting the cytotoxic properties of AG extracts on acute myeloid leukemia (AML).…”