In vitro antimetastatic activity of Momordica balsamina crude acetone extract in HT‐29 human colon cancer cells

Abstract

Plant‐derived compounds and/or extracts have proven to be beneficial for the treatment of a broad spectrum of cancers with minimal side effects. In this study, we investigated whether a crude acetone extract of Momordica balsamina (MBE) can interfere with the metastatic ability of HT‐29 colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. The phytochemical composition of MBE was determined by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography and cytotoxic effects by the MTT and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining assays. The effect of MBE on the formation of reactive oxygen species was assessed using the DCFH2‐DA assay. Wound healing assay, transwell cell invasion assay, cell adhesion assay, and the extracellular matrix‐cell adhesion array were used to assess the antimetastatic effects of MBE. The effect of MBE on the expression of TNF‐α, NF‐κB, TIMP‐3, MMP‐2, and MMP‐9 was assessed by western blot analysis. Our results showed that MBE consists of a mixture of compounds without a known anticancer activity in CRC and exhibits cytotoxicity against HT‐29 cells. MBE also suppressed reactive oxygen species formation, cell invasion, cell migration, and cell adhesion. The reduction of cell invasion was associated with the downregulation of TNF‐α, NF‐κB, MMP2, and MMP9 and upregulation of TIMP‐3 proteins. We concluded that MBE inhibits the metastatic ability of HT‐29 CRC cells in vitro.

In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity of African Plants: A Review

“…Different assays were performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity effects of the studied African plant extracts, including a crystal violet cell antiproliferation assay [ 29 ], resazurin reduction assay [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 25 , 34 ], or tetrazolium-based colorimetric cell proliferation assays such as MTT [ 14 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 23 , 26 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 33 ], MTS [ 32 ] and WST-1 [ 13 ]. There were studies where cell numbers were determined using Hoechst 33342/Propidium Iodide (PI) staining [ 12 , 18 ], trypan blue [ 24 ], or were based on the quantification of Adenosin Triphosphate (ATP), signaling the presence of metabolically active cells [ 15 , 27 ].…”

In Silico Study of Cucurbita maxima Compounds as Potential Therapeutics Against Schistosomiasis

“…The compounds had the lowest intestinal absorption of 50.312%. This can be attributed to the fact that they are both triterpenes with similar molecular formulae and their differentiation is difficult as also observed by Serala et al 36 The ligands Momordicoside I aglycone, Balsaminol E, CHEMBL468165, Charantadiol A, 3beta,25-diol, Balsaminol E and CHEMBL249658 violated the ROF with log P values greater than 5. Although the log P value, which affects the compound’s lipophilicity, is a major determining factor in a compound’s penetration across vital membranes and biological barriers, some researchers 39 argue that these rules can be done away with at least during a virtual screening protocol, because it is essential to first look for a potent molecule and once potency is validated, improved kinetics can then be sought.…”

“…Our results are in agreement with studies that have shown the in vitro anti-schistosomal activity of triterpenes in plants such as Argemone mexicana , 35 Momordica balsamina, Actinopyga echinites , and Holothuria polii . 10 , 36 …”

Influence of Plasma-Isolated Anthocyanins and Their Metabolites on Cancer Cell Migration (HT-29 and Caco-2) In Vitro: Results of the ATTACH Study

“…Considering that about every fourth colon cancer patient displays distant metastases after resection [ 52 ] and cancer mortality is mainly due to metastasis lesions [ 52 , 53 ], searching for new therapeutic agents to suppress cancer cell invasion and migration is crucial. However, data from human studies regarding the effects of anthocyanins on colon cancer progression are scarce and to date, it has not yet been clarified whether anthocyanins, particularly at physiological concentrations, have an impact on cancer cell migration in vivo.…”

“…Metastasis is a multistep process that comprises cell migration from the primary tumor site, cell invasion, attachment to endothelial cells, extravasation, proliferation, and angiogenesis at the distal site [ 53 , 56 ]. Degradation of the extracellular matrix, especially collagen, mediated by proteolytic enzymes such as MMP-2 (gelatinase-A) and MMP-9 (gelatinase-B), is known to be the first step and plays a crucial role during cell migration and invasion [ 31 , 57 ].…”