Hamamelitannin from Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Displays Specific Cytotoxic Activity against Colon Cancer Cells

Abstract

Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) bark is a rich source of condensed and hydrolyzable tannins reported to exert a protective action against colon cancer. The present study characterizes different witch hazel tannins as selective cytotoxic agents against colon cancer. To cover the structural diversity of the tannins that occur in H. virginiana bark, the hydrolyzable tannins, hamamelitannin and pentagalloylglucose, together with a proanthocyanidin-rich fraction (F800H4) were selected for the study. Treatment with these compounds reduced tumor viability and induced apoptosis, necrosis, and S-phase arrest in the cell cycle of HT29 cells, with hamamelitannin being the most efficient. Owing to polyphenol-mediated H(2)O(2) formation in the incubation media, the antiproliferative effect was determined in the presence and absence of catalase to rule out any such interference. The presence of catalase significantly changed the IC(50) only for F800H4. Furthermore, at concentrations that inhibit the growth of HT29 cells by 50%, hamamelitannin had no harmful effects on NCM460 normal colonocytes, whereas pentagalloylglucose inhibited both cancerous and normal cell growth. Using the TNPTM assay, we identified a highly reactive phenolic position in hamamelitannin, which may explain its efficacy at inhibiting colon cancer growth.

High-Throughput Screening to Identify Plant Derived Human LDH-A Inhibitors

“…We present evidence for LDH-A inhibitory properties of a number of commonly used herbs and spices with previously reported anti-cancer properties including bladderwrack [40], kelp [41], cinnamon [42], cats claw bark [43], arjun [44], polygonum multiflorum [45] and witch hazel [46]. Future research will be required to evaluate if LDH-A inhibition is a contributing factor to tumoricidal or anti-proliferative properties of these herbs on diverse human cancer cells.…”

The ‘Sparing Phenomenon' of Purpuric Rash over Tattooed Skin

“…One of the components of the patientʼs ink was H. virginiana, a kind of witch hazel that has been linked to anti-inflammatory properties, especially in cases of photodermatitis [37,38,39,40] and colonic cancer [41,42], due to a molecule called hamamelitannin, with anti-TNF properties (in vitro inhibition of TNF-mediated cell death and DNA fragmentation) [43] and scavenging activity against reactive oxygen species [42,44,45]. Even if it were attractive to assume that H. virginiana could have had an inhibitory effect over the purpuric rash, we would have to presume that functional levels of the active principle still remained in the skin 5 years after its injection, which is to be proven.…”

Green tea phenolics inhibit butyrate-induced differentiation of colon cancer cells by interacting with monocarboxylate transporter 1

“…Assays were performed using a variation of the MTT assay described by Mosmann [23]. HT29 cells were seeded at 3 × 10 3 cells/well in 96-well flat-bottom plates.…”