Croton blanchetianus decrease cell viability and induces apoptosis in human cervical cancer cells
Croton blanchetianus, Cervical cancer, apoptosis
Objective. The present study aimed to investigate, in vitro, the cytotoxic and pro apoptotic effects of leaves and root extracts from Croton blanchetianus (CB) against human cervical cancer HeLa and SiHa cells.
Material and Methods. Enriched extracts were obtained by pH variation in which the acid solution (pH 2) provided the acid fractions from leaves (CBaF) and roots (CBaR) and the aqueous fraction was basified with 25% NaOH to pH 9, obtaining the basic fractions from leaves (CBbF) and roots (CBbR). Phytochemical screening was evaluated by thin layer chromatography using Sulfuric Vanilin, Dragendorff Reagent and Natural A Reagent as developers. Cytotoxic activity and apoptosis rates were determined with MTT and annexin V/PI assays, respectively.
Results. Except CBbF that showed no flavonoids, all other fractions exhibited terpenoids, alkaloids and flavonoids. CB promoted morphological changes, exhibited cytotoxicity on HeLa and SiHa cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner and the percentage of apoptosis cells increased substantially, indicating that CB inhibited HeLa and SiHa cells viability through the induction of apoptosis
Conclusion. This is the first study that demonstrated cytotoxic and pro apoptotic effects of Croton blanchetianus on HeLa and SiHa cells. Therefore, Croton blanchetianus appears to be a valuable natural source for the development of agents for the treatment of cervical cancer.