Planta Med 2014; 80 - P1L37
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1394694

The influence of extracts from Rubus caesius leaves on human colon carcinoma cells cultured in vitro

R Paduch 1, M Tomczyk 2, A Wiater 3, A Dudek 1, M Pleszczynska 3, M Tomczykowa 4, S Granica 5, DM Grochowski 6, P Kowalski 6
  • 1Department of Virology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, ul. Akademicka 19, 20 – 033 Lublin, Poland
  • 2Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Bialystok, ul. Mickiewicza 2a, 15 – 230 Bialystok, Poland
  • 3Department of Industrial Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, ul. Akademicka 19, 20 – 033 Lublin, Poland
  • 4Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Bialystok, ul. Mickiewicza 2a, 15 – 222 Bialystok, Poland
  • 5Department of Pharmacognosy and Molecular Basis of Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Warsaw Medical University, ul. Banacha 1, 02 – 097 Warsaw, Poland
  • 6Students' Scientific Association, Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Bialystok, ul. Mickiewicza 2a, 15 – 230 Bialystok, Poland

In this study, for the first time, we analyzed the biological activity of extracts obtained from leaves of dewberry (Rubus caesius, Rosaceae) with solvents of different polarity (aqueous RC1, 50% methanolic RC2, methanolic RC3). Extracts were tested using MTT, NR, DPPH and ferric-reducing antioxidant power tests on two human colon carcinoma cell lines: HT29 and SW948. Extracts were tested at the range of 25 – 250 µg/mL concentrations. We found that only RC1 stimulated metabolism of HT29 cells at concentrations lower than 175 mg/mL while SW948 cells' mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity was gradually decreased at applied concentrations of all the extracts. The tested extracts from R. caesius expressed toxic effects on colon tumor cells (NR method). All extracts showed free radical scavenging effect in a concentration dependent manner. RC2 and RC3 extracts had the most DPPH reducing activity. The highest activity (at concentration of 250 mg/mL) of RC2 and RC3 was equivalent to 43.8 mg/mL and 43.7 mg/mL of Trolox, respectively. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power of extracts also showed strong activity of RC2 and RC3 ones. The highest activity (at concentration of 250 mg/mL) of RC2 and RC3 corresponded to 92 mg/mL and 85.6 mg/mL of ascorbic acid. Additionally, the examination of phytochemical profile of investigated samples (RC1-RC3) using HPLC-DAD-MS3 revealed that all three extracts contained polyphenols: tannins or quercetin and kaempferol derivatives as major constituents. Among detected compounds ellagitaninns were identified as dominating. Results of the work offer an explanation of the activity of R. caesius extracts and support the use of Rubus preparations in the treatment of cancer diseases.

Keywords: Rubus caesius, cytotoxicity, human colon tumor cells, HT29, SW948, free radical reducing activity