hypericum and Lymphoma

The cytotoxic effects of hyperatomarin - a prenylated phloroglucinol isolated from Hypericum annulatum Moris subsp. annulatum were assessed in a broad spectrum of tumor cell lines originating from leukemias, lymphomas and solid malignancies. The tested compound exerted strong concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects (IC50 values ranging 0.14-15.7 μM), comparable to and even outclassing in some cell lines those of the established anti-cancer drug daunorubicin. Exposure of different human tumor cell lines to hyperatomarin resulted in strong mono- and oligo-nucleosomal fragmentation of genomic DNA, as evidenced by 'Cell death detection' ELISA kit and by DNA-electrophoresis, which unambiguously indicates that the induction of apoptosis is implicated in the cytotoxic mode of action of the tested compound.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Apoptosis; Cell Line, Tumor; DNA Fragmentation; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Humans; Hypericum; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Leukemia; Lymphoma; Phloroglucinol

A large number of plants belonging to the genus Hypericum and their phytoconstituents are known to possess potent anticancer nature. Earlier studies from our laboratories indicated a strong cytotoxic nature of the methanol extract of Hypericum hookerianum stem (MEHH). In the present study, the in vivo antitumor activity of MEHH against the Dalton's lymphoma ascitic (DLA) model was determined at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight given orally for 10 days. The results indicate that administration of the extract not only increased the survival of animals with ascites tumor, decreased the body weight induced by the tumor burden and reduced the packed cell volume and viable tissue cell count, but also altered many hematological parameters changed during tumor progression indicating the potent antitumor nature of the extract. Hematological and biochemical analysis were carried out to prove the anticancer and antioxidant nature of the extract.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Ascites; Blood Cell Count; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Hypericum; Lymphoma; Mice; Neoplasms, Experimental; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plant Stems

The methanol extracts of the aerial parts of Hypericum mysorense and Hypericum patulum were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity on HEp-2, RD and Vero cell lines and antitumour activity using DLA and HEp-2 cell lines. The cell viability and morphological changes were assessed. Of these extracts, Hypericum patulum (stem) extract showed strong cytotoxicity against all the cell lines used. The CTC50 of the Hypericum patulum (stem) extract was 1.71 microg/mL for HEp-2, 1.53 microg/mL for RD and 2.23 microg/mL for Vero cell lines. The Hypericum patulum (leaves) and Hypericum mysorense (aerial parts) extracts showed moderate cytotoxicity and Hypericum patulum (aerial parts) extract did not show any cytotoxicity up to 1,000 microg/mL concentration. In the clonogenic assay, no colony formation was observed at a concentration of 300 micro g/mL and above for Hypericum mysorense (aerial parts), 400 microg/mL and above for Hypericum patulum (leaves) and 500 microg/mL and above for Hypericum patulum (stem) extracts. In the short term antitumour studies using DLA cells, 50% viability was observed in the concentration range 100-200 microg/mL for Hypericum patulum (leaves and stem) and 200-400 microg/mL for Hypericum mysorense (aerial) extract. In the long term antitumour activity using the HEp-2 cell line, no colony formation was observed over a concentration of 1.6 microg/mL for the Hypericum patulum (stem) extract.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Cell Line, Tumor; Chlorocebus aethiops; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Hypericum; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Lymphoma; Male; Phytotherapy; Plant Components, Aerial; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Plant Stems; Rhabdomyosarcoma; Vero Cells