The Effects of Cucurbitacin E on Two Lymphocyte Models

Abstract

Cucurbitacin E (CuE), like other cucurbitacins, is a potential anti-neoplastic agent. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro effects of CuE on phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-activated and unstimulated lymphocytes. CuE did not produce any significant cytotoxic effects on the two models. On the contrary, it had a stimulatory effect, and was capable of inducing and maintaining high proliferation rates in lymphocytes. The stimulatory effect of CuE was concentration-dependent with a median stimulatory concentration (SC 50 ) of 1.166 mM and reaching maximal effect at a concentration of 10-20 mM. The stimulatory effect of CuE was about 25% lower than that of PHA, but a combination of CuE and PHA had an additive effect producing a greater response than that induced by the two substances used separately. Agarose gel electrophoresis for DNA fragmentation failed to show any significant apoptotic activity in the cells after 48 h exposure to CuE.

The effects of Fumaria officinalis hydroalcoholic extracts on haematological profile of New Zealand rabbits

“…Hence, the decrease in circulating lymphocyte count observed in this study shows a reduced immunological status. Cue, a primary cucurbitacin was reported to induce and maintain high lymphocyte proliferation rates (Attard et al, 2004), but when co-cultured with cancer cells, an interesting lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity was observed (Attard et al 2005). This demonstrates the immune-inhibitory action of FOHE in this study; however, these findings were contrary to results obtained using ethanolic extract of Lagenaria breviflora (Saba et al 2009).…”

Thein vitroImmunomodulatory Activity of Oleuropein, a Secoiridoid Glycoside fromOlea europaeaL

“…Oleuropein possesses three potential α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moieties; one α,β-unsaturated aldehyde system on the secoiridoid part and two unstable α,βunsaturated keto systems in the catechol part arising from the oxidation of oleuropein [24] ( Figure 1). The biological activity of the α,β-unsaturated aldehyde system has been demonstrated previously for transcinnamic acid [25] and cucurbitacin E [26,27]. This functionality correlates with the fact that oleuropein was non-toxic to lymphocytes, but with time the stimulatory activity led to the apoptotic phase at which point, possible structure modification of this compound can occur.…”

“…The classical example of this, is the activity of β-carotene vis-à-vis the activity of the whole carotenoid extract [28]. Another consideration is that high doses of immunostimulatory drugs can cause cytotoxic and antitumour effects [26,29], therefore oleuropein warrants investigation along these lines. Although each extract has to be evaluated on its own merit, the claim that some olive leaf extracts have an immuneboosting effect is supported.…”

Cucurbits Plants: A Key Emphasis to Its Pharmacological Potential

“…Cucurbitacins also additionally hindered the expansion of endothelial cells joined by an interruption of the F-actin and tubulin microfilaments cytoskeleton, typical mitogen-prompted T-lymphocytes and lessened cell motility recommend an enemy of angiogenesis and hostile to the metastasis job for cucurbitacins. It is also fit for instigating and keeping up high multiplication rates in lymphocytes [93].…”