Apoptotic Induction of Skin Cancer Cell Death by Plant Extracts
Walairat Thuncharoen MSc*, Malin Chulasiri PhD**,***, Sirinun Nilwarangkoon PhD*, Yukio Nakamura MD, PhD****, Ramida Watanapokasin PhD*
Affiliation : * Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand *** Research & Development Division, SJI, Bangkok, Thailand **** Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
Objective : The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of plant extracts on cancer apoptotic induction.
Material and Method: Human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cell line, obtained from the American Type Culture Collection
(ATCC, Manassas, VA), was maintained in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine
serum (FBS) at 37°C, 5% carbon dioxide (CO2). Plant extract solutions were obtained from S & J international enterprises
public company limited. These plant extracts include 50% hydroglycol extracts from Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M.Smith (torch
ginger; EE), Rosa damascene (damask rose; DR) and Rafflesia kerrii Meijer (bua phut; RM). The cell viability, time and dose
dependency were determined by MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. A431 cells were
treated with the plant extracts and stained with Hoechst 33342 fluorescent staining dye.
Results : Cell viability was demonstrated by the inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50). The anti-proliferative effects were shown
to be dependent on time and dose. Typical characteristics of apoptosis which are cell morphological changes and chromatin
condensation were clearly observed.
Conclusion : The plant extracts was shown to be effective for anti-proliferation and induction of apoptosis cell death in skin
cancer cells. Therefore, mechanisms underlying the cell death and its potential use for treatment of skin cancer will be further
studied.
Keywords : Etlingera elatior, Rosa damascena, Rafflesia kerrii, Skin cancer, Apoptosis
