The antitumor activity screening of chemical constituents from Camellia nitidissima Chi

Abstract

Chemotherapy is the preferred and most common treatment for cancer in clinical practice. An increasing number of researchers all over the world are focusing on natural medicines to find new antitumor drugs, and several reports have shown that Camellia nitidissima (C. nitidis-sima) Chi could reduce blood-lipid, decrease blood pressure, resist oxidation, prevent carcinogenesis and inhibit tumors. Therefore, the pharmacodynamics of the chemical constituents in C. nitidissima need to be investigated further. In the present study, 16 chemical constituents were isolated from the leaves of C. nitidissima, of which 6 compounds are reported to be found in this plant for the first time. Furthermore, all these phytochemicals were screened for antitumor activity on 4 common cancer cell lines, while compound 3, one oleanane-type triterpene, exhibited the most potential antitumor effects. Interestingly, to our knowledge, this was the first report that compound 3 inhibits cancer cells. Compound 3 inhibited EGFR-mutant lung cancer cell line, NCI-H1975 via apoptosis effect, with an IC50 of 13.37±2.05 µM at 48 h. Based on the data, compound 3 showed potential for antitumor drug development, suggesting the scientific basis for the antitumor activity of C. nitidissima.

<p><em>Camellia nitidissima</em> Chi Extract Potentiates the Sensitivity of Gastric Cancer Cells to Paclitaxel via the Induction of Autophagy and Apoptosis</p>

“…1 However, most previous researches focused on the phytology, plant genetics and breeding of CNC. 2 Only our published reports [3][4][5][6][7][8] and several other studies 2,9 revealed that CNC contains a variety of physiologically active ingredients, such as tea polysaccharides, polyphenols, flavonoids, and tea saponins. Our group has been engaged in the research of Camellia nitidissima Chi for over 6 years.…”

“…Cell viability was determined by MTT assay as reported. 3 Cells were plated in 96-well plates at a density of 2000 cells per well. After 24 hrs incubation, the cells were treated with different concentrations of JHC-4 for 24, 48, or 72 hrs.…”

“…Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. 3 BGC-823 cells were treated with JHC-4 or/and TAX in medium for 48 hrs. Cells were then harvested and washed with PBS twice.…”

“…6 Meanwhile, we preliminarily reported that CNC inhibited the proliferation of EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor)mutant lung cancer cells. 3 Importantly, our previous data showed that n-butanol extract (JHC-4) from CNC significantly inhibited AOM/DSS (Azoxymethane/Dextran sulfate sodium) induced colorectal cancer, relieved the colonic pathology of inflammation and ameliorated the serum biochemistry, and noticeably reversed the disturbed metabolic profiling toward the normal state. 4 Therefore, we want to evaluate the anti-proliferation effect of the JHC-4 and explore the mechanism.…”

Neuroprotective effects of Camellia nitidissima Chi leaf extract in hydrogen peroxide‐treated human neuroblastoma cells and its molecule mechanisms

“…It is a medicinal and edible plant and its flower, leaf, and seed oil show multiple health benefits, including antioxidant, anti‐inflammation, antitumor, antihyperlipidemic, and antidiabetic effects (Huang et al., 2009; Li et al., 2017; Yang, Guan, et al, 2018; Yang, Wang, Chen, & Jia, 2018). Recently, leaf and flower of CNC have attracted increasing attention for their bioactivities and potentials as functional food and drug (Hou et al., 2018; Wang et al., 2016).…”