Activity of crude extract of Rubus crataegifolius roots as a potent apoptosis inducer and DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor

Arch Pharm Res. 2000 Aug;23(4):338-43. doi: 10.1007/BF02975444.

Abstract

The effects of methanol extract of Rubus crategifolius roots and its solvent fractions were investigated on the proliferation of MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells. The methanol extract inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a concentration dependent manner. Moreover, their methanol soluble (W-M) fraction had the greatest inhibitory effect on the growth of MCF-7 cells. To evaluate whether the W-M fraction affects on the cell cycle of MCF-7 cells, cells treated with this fraction were analyzed with flow cytometry. The W-M fraction increased G0/G1 phase after 24 h-treatment and induced apoptosis after 48 h-treatment. The hallmark of apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, also appeared by W-M fraction after 48 h-treatment. Furthermore, the methanol extract and its W-M fraction inhibited the activity of the topoisomerase I enzyme in the relaxation assay. From these results, their W-M fraction as well as methanol extract of R. crategifolius roots are necessary for further studies as a potent inhibitor of the growth of cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Camptothecin / analogs & derivatives
  • Camptothecin / pharmacology
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • DNA Fragmentation / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Irinotecan
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plants, Medicinal*
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Plant Extracts
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors
  • Irinotecan
  • Camptothecin