Eryngium billardieri Extract and Fractions Induces Apoptosis in Cancerous Cells

Abstract

Background: Eryngium is genus flowering plants in the Umbelliferae family having pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic. Given the nature of melanoma and breast cancers in recent years and the fact that the anti-cancer properties of Eryngium billardieri on mentioned cell lines have not been studied, the present study conducted to explore these properties. Objective: The mechanisms of cytotoxicity and apoptosis of aerial parts of various extracts and fractions of E. billardieri on cancerous cells and normal cells were investigated. Methods: Samples were collected from natural habitats, dried and then extracted by Soxhlet apparatus with solvents of n-Hex, DCM and methanol, respectively. The cytotoxic effects of the extracts were investigated by MTT method on MCF7, B16 and HFF-2 classes for 24 and 48 hours. Flowcytometry, was also used to investigate the mechanism of cytotoxicity and confirming by Real-time PCR of p53 and Bax genes, which codes apoptosis regulator proteins. Meanwhile, volatile compounds of extracts were identified by GC-MS method. Results: The obtained data showed that the n-Hex extract of E. billardieri on B-16 and MCF7 cell lines and dichromethane extract on MCF7 cell line had the most significant cytotoxic effect compared to DMSO control (p value <0.001). Our finding showed that the mechanism of n-Hex extract with 80% and 100% vlc fractions on B16 induced apoptotic compared to HFF-2 control cells, moreover, n-Hex extract and 80% vlc fraction on MCF7 was apoptotic. The major compounds of n-Hex, DCM and 80% and 100% fractions of n-Hex extract obtained from GC-MS are non-terpenoid. Conclusion: Non-terpenoids compounds of E. billardieri can be the responsible for showing the most cytotoxic effects on MCF7 and B16 cell lines with apoptotic mechanism and n-Hex extract had the most significant inhibitory effect on cancerous cells compared to the HFF-2 control cells by the mechanism of apoptosis.