Taraxacum officinale dandelion extracts efficiently inhibited the breast cancer stem cell proliferation

Abstract

Abstract-Introduction:Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) play an important role in breast cancer initiation, metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance. Therefore, targeting BCSCs is an essential strategy to suppress cancer growth. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dandelion Taraxacum officinale extracts on BCSC proliferation in vitro in 2D and 3D cell culture platforms. Methods: The BCSCs were maintained understandard conditions, verified for expression of CD44 and CD24 surface markers, and transfected with GFP before use in experiments. In the 2D model, the BCSCs were cultured as adherent cells in standard culture plates; in the 3D model, the BCSCs were cultured on low-adherent plates to form spheroids. The effect of Dandelion extracts on proliferation of BCSC was assessed by evaluating induction of cell death, expression of genes of death receptor signaling pathways, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by BCSCs. Results: BCSCs formed spheroids as microtumors in vitro and exhibited some in vivo characteristics of tumors, such as increased expression of N-cadherin and Slug, decreased expression of E-cadherin, capacity to invade into the extracellular matrix (ECM), and presence of a hypoxic environment at the core of tumor spheroids. The dandelion extracts significantly inhibited BCSC proliferation in both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models of BCSCs. However, the IC50 value of dandelion extracts in BCSCs in the 3D model was much higher than that in the 2D model. The results also demonstrated that BCSCs treated with Dandelion extracts showed increased expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and TRAIL receptor 2 (TRAILR2; i.e. death receptor 5;DR5). Moreover, treatment induced expression of DR4. Treatment with methanol dandelion extract enhanced production of ROS in BCSCs. Conclusion: Dandelion extracts are promising extracts for the treatment of breast tumors. The effect of methanol dandelion extract was better than that for ethanol extract. Importantly, BCSCs in 3D exhibited stronger drug resistance than those in 2D. In summary, our results indicate the strong potential of dandelion extracts as anti-cancer agents and rational use for drug development.

Transepithelial Anti-Neuroblastoma Response to Kale among Four Vegetable Juices Using In Vitro Model Co-Culture System

“…Not the only juice with transepithelial anticancer ability? With phytochemicals in all of them, each juice may be expected to exert some growth-stopping effects in line with earlier extract studies of lettuce [ 95 ], spinach [ 15 ], and dandelion [ 56 , 57 ]. Indeed, all three non-cruciferous juices showed degrees of anti-neuroblastoma if we waited long enough, 5 days ( Figure S2 ).…”

“…Our hypothesis was that kale juice diluted to a degree expected in the intestinal lumen would be most potent in exerting transepithelial anti-cancer efficacy to inhibit the growth of the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. We expected the other juices would fall in line with a review of the anticancer literature for each juice: namely, dandelion [ 56 , 57 ] > green leaf lettuce [ 11 ] > spinach [ 1 , 27 ].…”

Sesquiterpenoid lactones as potential anti-cancer agents: an update on molecular mechanisms and recent studies

“…In two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models of BCSC, the proliferation of BCSC was strongly reduced by dandelion extracts. The transcription of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and TRAIL receptor 2 was enhanced in BCSCs treated with dandelion concentrates (TRAIL-R2; i.e., death receptor 5; DR5) [142]. Dandelion root extract (DRE) promotes cell death in human melanoma cells with high selectivity and efficacy while generating no harm in noncancerous cells.…”

Effect of Methanolic Extract of Dandelion Roots on Cancer Cell Lines and AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway

“…Dandelion, a common weed that is famous for curing various diseases since primeval times might serve to treat cancer without any side effects ( Choi and Kim, 2009 ; Tettey et al, 2014 ; Van Trinh et al, 2016 ). Among the different species of Dandelion, T. officinale, Taraxacum platycarpum, Taraxacum coreanum , and Taraxacum mongolicum are known for its curative effects ( Martinez et al, 2015 ), but their mode of action is still unclear.…”