Evaluation of anticancer effects of a pharmaceutically viable extract of a traditional polyherbal mixture against non-small-cell lung cancer cells

摘要

Objective: The present work tested organic solvents to prepare an extract with anticancer properties from a polyherbal mixture containing Nigella sativa(seeds), Hemidesmus indicus(roots) and Smilax glabra(rhizomes). We evaluate anticancer effects in non-small-cell lung cancer cells(NCI-H292), and discuss optimization for pharmaceutical use in the context of efficacy, yield and toxicity.Methods: Using different organic solvents, six extracts were prepared from the polyherbal mixture. Based on the cytotoxic effects of these extracts on NCI-H292 cells and normal lung cells(MRC-5), as evaluated by the sulphorhodamine B assay, the total ethyl acetate(T-EA) extract was selected for further analysis.The possible anticancer mechanisms were assessed by evaluating the extract’s effects on apoptosis(through fluorescent microscopic analysis, DNA fragmentation analysis, caspase 3/7 assay and analysis of expression levels of apoptosis-related genes p53, Bax, survivin, Hsp70 and Hsp90), colony formation and antioxidant activity.Results: The extract had cytotoxic effects against NCI-H292 cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner.Significant antioxidant activity and inhibition of colony formation were also observed. The expression level of caspase 3/7 significantly(P < 0.001) increased in NCI-H292 cells treated with 50 lg/m L of the extract. The same dosage led to a significant increase in expression levels of Bax and p53(P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively), accompanied by a significant decrease(P < 0.0001) in survivin, Hsp70 and Hsp90.Conclusion: T-EA extract of the above polyherbal mixture has cytotoxicity against NCI-H292 cells via induction of apoptosis, antioxidant effects and inhibition of colony formation.