Moringa Oleifera aqueous leaf extract down-regulates nuclear factor-kappaB and increases cytotoxic effect of chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer cells

Abstract

BackgroundFewer than 6% patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas live up to five years after diagnosis. Chemotherapy is currently the standard treatment, however, these tumors often develop drug resistance over time. Agents for increasing the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy or reducing the cancer cells’ chemo-resistance to the drugs are required to improve treatment outcome. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), a pro-inflammatory transcription factor, reportedly plays a significant role in the resistance of pancreatic cancer cells to apoptosis-based chemotherapy. This study investigated the effect of aqueous Moringa Oleifera leaf extract on cultured human pancreatic cancer cells - Panc-1, p34, and COLO 357, and whether it can potentiates the effect of cisplatin chemotherapy on these cells.MethodsThe effect of Moringa Oleifera leaf extract alone and in combination with cisplatin on the survival of cultured human pancreatic cancer cells was evaluated by XTT-based colorimetric assay. The distribution of Panc-1 cells in the cell cycle following treatment with Moringa leaf extract was evaluated by flow cytometry, and evaluations of protein levels were via immunoblotting. Data of cell survival following combined treatments were analyzed with Calcusyn software.ResultsMoringa Oleifera leaf extract inhibited the growth of all pancreatic cell lines tested. This effect was significant in all cells following exposure to ≥0.75 mg/ml of the extract. Exposure of Panc-1 cells to Moringa leaf extract induced an elevation in the sub-G1 cell population of the cell-cycle, and reduced the expression of p65, p-IkBα and IkBα proteins in crude cell extracts. Lastly, Moringa Oleifera leaf extract synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin on Panc-1 cells.ConclusionMoringa Oleifera leaf extract inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer cells, the cells NF-κB signaling pathway, and increases the efficacy of chemotherapy in human pancreatic cancer cells.

<i>Moringa oleifera</i>: An apoptosis inducer in cancer cells

“…oleifera has many medicinal values as research had shown that it possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antiulcer, antidiuretic activities [38-41] and more importantly to this review, preclinical studies proved it has growth inhibitory effect to proliferation of many cancer types [4][5][6]. For example, Charoensin [42] carried out a two-stage successive extraction of phytochemicals of M. oleifera leaf using methanol, and dichloromethane solvents.…”

“…It has value in tumour therapy and has been found to have the potential of preventing cancer [3]. Aqueous and solvent extracts of M. oleifera leaves have been reported to have significant antiproliferative effects on colon, alveolar, and pancreatic cancer cells and induce apoptosis in KB cells and other cancer cells [4][5][6].…”

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Secondary Metabolites of Moringa Oleifera and its Anticancer Activity

“…The leaves of Moringa contains some bioactive compounds called β -sitosterol which are highly involved in the effects on the cancer inducing tumour cells [10], which can also shows increased cytotoxicity on pancreatic cancer cells [11]. The antioxidant property of Moringa may be due to the presence of phenolic compounds present in the different parts of the tree.…”

Molecular mechanisms of cholangiocarcinoma cell inhibition by medicinal plants

“…rubra and Tinospora crispa (TiC). These extracts have previously demonstrated anti-proliferative effects via modulation of the apoptotic pathways (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14).…”

“…MOs and M. oleifera leaf extracts have been observed to induce CCA cell apoptosis by inducing reactive oxygen species accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction (8). M. oleifera leaf extract inhibits pancreatic cancer cells by targeting the NF-κB signaling pathway, increasing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in human pancreatic cancer cells (9). Cucurbitae-type triterpene glycosides from M. charantia fruit (MCf) inhibit NF-κB and activate PPAR in HepG2 cells (10).…”