The Induction of Apoptosis in A375 Malignant Melanoma Cells bySutherlandia frutescens

Abstract

Sutherlandia frutescensis a medicinal plant indigenous to Southern Africa and is commonly known as the “cancer bush.” This plant has traditionally been used for the treatment of various ailments, although it is best known for its claims of activity against “internal” cancers. Here we report on its effect on melanoma cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an extract ofS. frutescenscould induce apoptosis in the A375 melanoma cell line and to outline the basic mechanism of action.S. frutescensextract induced apoptosis in A375 cells as evidenced by morphological features of apoptosis, phosphatidylserine exposure, nuclear condensation, caspase activation, and the release of cytochromecfrom the mitochondria. Studies in the presence of a pan-caspase inhibitor allude to caspase-independent cell death, which appeared to be mediated by the apoptosis inducing factor. Taken together, the results of this study show thatS. frutescensextract is effective in inducing apoptosis in malignant melanoma cells and indicates that furtherin vivomechanistic studies may be warranted.