New Natural Pigment Fraction Isolated from Saw Palmetto: Potential for Adjuvant Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

For the first time, we discovered a small proportion of aqueous fraction from Saw Palmetto apart from the fatty acid-rich fraction exhibited pharmacological activity. Therefore, this study aims to explore the anti-tumor potential of red pigmented aqueous fraction of Saw Palmetto, NYG on human hepatocellular carcinoma and its possible targets. Subcutaneous xenograft and orthotopic implantation models of HCC were used to evaluate the tumor inhibitory effect of NYG. Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were used as in vitro model. The mRNA expression was conducted by qPCR. Protein expression was monitored by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Cell migration and blood vessel formation were determined by chamber assay and tube formation assay, respectively. Significant tumor inhibition of NYG in dose-dependent manner was observed on subcutaneous xenograft and orthotopic HCC model. NYG has no direct action on cell viability or VEGF secretion of HCC cells. However, NYG reduced in vitro migration and vessel formation activities of HUVEC cells, as well as in vivo intratumoral neovascularization. NYG attenuated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) activation in endothelial cells, which may be associated with the suppression of migration and tube formation of HUVEC. NYG suppressed tumor expansion of HCC via inhibiting neovascularization, and may be potential adjuvant treatment for HCC.

Potential Focal Adhesion Kinase Inhibitors in Management of Cancer: Therapeutic Opportunities from Herbal Medicine

“…Physicians have used herbal medicines for disease prevention and treatment in traditional medical practices for many centuries [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Over the past few decades, studies have identified a number of natural compounds extracted from herbal medicine with potential for disease therapy [ 11 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 ]. Botanical drugs such as sinecatechins, cascara, psyllium, and senna are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and similar organizations as prescription or over-the-counter drugs [ 66 ].…”

The Therapeutic Potential of Saw Palmetto Extract in Urological Disorders

“…WO 2014174703 A1) had been extracted from saw palmetto and demonstrated to target hepatocellular carcinoma as an adjunct drug. 12…”

“…6 Meanwhile, Tan et al reported that a new substance named NYG (Patent No. WO 2014174703 A1) had been extracted from saw palmetto and demonstrated to target hepatocellular carcinoma as an adjunct drug 12. …”