Palmatine from Unexplored Rutidea parviflora Showed Cytotoxicity and Induction of Apoptosis in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

Li, W; Johnson-Ajinwo, O; Richardson, A

Abstract

Ovarian cancer ranks amongst the deadliest cancers in the gynaecological category of cancers. This research work aims to evaluate in vitro anti-ovarian cancer activities and identify phytochemical constituents of a rarely explored plant speciesRutidea parviflora DC. The aqueous and organic extracts of the plant were evaluated for cytotoxicity using sulforhodamine B assay in four ovarian cancer cell lines and an immortalized human ovarian epithelial (HOE) cell line. The bioactive compounds were isolated and characterized by gas/liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Caspase 3/7 activity assay, western blotting and flow cytometry were carried out to assess apoptotic effects of active compounds. The extracts/fractions of R. parviflora showed promising anti-ovarian cancer activities in ovarian cancer cell lines. A principal cytotoxic alkaloid was identified as palmatine whose IC50 was determined as 5.5-7.9 mu M. Palmatine was relatively selective towards cancer cells as it was less cytotoxic toward HOE cells, also demonstrating interestingly absence of cross-resistance in cisplatin-resistant A2780 cells. Palmatine further induced apoptosis by increasing caspase 3/7 activity, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase cleavage, and annexin V and propidium iodide staining in OVCAR-4 cancer cells. Our studies warranted further investigation of palmatine and R. parviflora extracts in preclinical models of ovarian cancer.

Citation

Li, W., Johnson-Ajinwo, O., & Richardson, A. (2019). Palmatine from Unexplored Rutidea parviflora Showed Cytotoxicity and Induction of Apoptosis in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells. Toxins, 237 - 237. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins11040237

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 18, 2019
• Publication Date: Apr 25, 2019
• Journal: Toxins
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 237 - 237
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins11040237
• Keywords: Ovarian cancer; Rutidea parviflora; Palmatine; Apoptosis
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/11/4/237