Willow Leaves' Extracts Contain Anti-Tumor Agents Effective against Three Cell Types

Abstract

Many higher plants contain novel metabolites with antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral properties. However, in the developed world almost all clinically used chemotherapeutics have been produced by in vitro chemical synthesis. Exceptions, like taxol and vincristine, were structurally complex metabolites that were difficult to synthesize in vitro. Many non-natural, synthetic drugs cause severe side effects that were not acceptable except as treatments of last resort for terminal diseases such as cancer. The metabolites discovered in medicinal plants may avoid the side effect of synthetic drugs, because they must accumulate within living cells. The aim here was to test an aqueous extract from the young developing leaves of willow (Salix safsaf, Salicaceae) trees for activity against human carcinoma cells in vivo and in vitro. In vivo Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells (EACC) were injected into the intraperitoneal cavity of mice. The willow extract was fed via stomach tube. The (EACC) derived tumor growth was reduced by the willow extract and death was delayed (for 35 days). In vitro the willow extract could kill the majority (75%–80%) of abnormal cells among primary cells harvested from seven patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 13 with AML (acute myeloid leukemia). DNA fragmentation patterns within treated cells inferred targeted cell death by apoptosis had occurred. The metabolites within the willow extract may act as tumor inhibitors that promote apoptosis, cause DNA damage, and affect cell membranes and/or denature proteins.

GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Phytochemicals Present in Ethanolic Extracts of Leaves of Annona muricata: A Further Evidence for Its Medicinal Diversity

“…2,3 Generally, complementary medicine has a long history of serving people all over the world. 4,5 In recent times and due to historical, cultural, and other reasons, folk medicine has taken an important place especially in developing countries where limited health services are available. However, the absence of scientific evaluation of medicinal plants may cause serious adverse effects.…”

Isolation and purification of plant secondary metabolites using column-chromatographic technique

“…Many non-natural, and synthetic drugs cause severe side effects that were not acceptable except as treatments of last resort for terminal diseases such as cancer. The metabolites discovered in medicinal plants may avoid the side effect of synthetic drugs, because they must accumulate within living cells (El-Shemy et al, 2007). Considering the deleterious effects of synthetic antibiotics, isolation, purification and characterization of novel types of plant secondary metabolites could be a safer alternative to synthetic compounds (Bajpai and Kang, 2011).…”

“…In particular, medicinal plants are of great importance with endless therapeutic properties useful for curing various diseases with an advantage of being natural (El-Shemy et al, 2007). At present, there are un-countable products in market, with adverse side effects on once heath.…”

Chemical Diversity in Nature Produces Potent Drugs of Various Ailments; Natural Products

“…NATURAL PRODUCTS: THE INHERENT POTENTIALITY Products of natural origins can be called ''natural products.' A natural product is a chemical compound or substance produced by living organisms found in nature that usually has a pharmacological or biological activity for use in pharmaceutical drug discovery and drug design [19].…”