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Research ArticleExperimental Studies

Antiproliferative and Pro-apoptotic Effects of Uncaria tomentosa in Human Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Cells

BEATE RINNER, ZENG XIA LI, HELGA HAAS, VERONIKA SIEGL, SONJA STURM, HERMANN STUPPNER and ROSWITHA PFRAGNER
Anticancer Research November 2009, 29 (11) 4519-4528;
BEATE RINNER
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ZENG XIA LI
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HELGA HAAS
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VERONIKA SIEGL
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SONJA STURM
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HERMANN STUPPNER
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ROSWITHA PFRAGNER
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  • For correspondence: roswitha.pfragner@medunigraz.at
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Abstract

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a rare calcitonin-producing tumor, is derived from parafollicular C-cells of the thyroid and is characterized by constitutive Bcl-2 overexpression. The tumor is relatively insensitive to radiation therapy as well as conventional chemotherapy. To date, the only curative treatment is the early and complete surgical removal of all neoplastic tissue. In this study, the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of fractions obtained from Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC, commonly known as uña de gato or cat's claw were investigated. Cell growth of MTC cells as well as enzymatic activity of mitochondrial dehydrogenase was markedly inhibited after treatment with different fractions of the plant. Furthermore, there was an increase in the expressions of caspase-3 and -7 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) fraction, while bcl-2 overexpression remained constant. In particular, the alkaloids isopterpodine and pteropodine of U. tomentosa exhibited a significant pro-apoptotic effect on MTC cells, whereas the alkaloid-poor fraction inhibited cell proliferation but did not show any pro-apoptotic effects. These promising results indicate the growth-restraining and apoptotic potential of plant extracts against neuroendocrine tumors, which may add to existing therapies for cancer.

  • Uncaria tomentosa
  • alkaloids
  • drug resistance
  • apoptosis
  • medullary thyroid carcinoma
  • Received May 28, 2009.
  • Revision received September 10, 2009.
  • Accepted September 21, 2009.
  • Copyright© 2009 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved
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Anticancer Research: 29 (11)
Anticancer Research
Vol. 29, Issue 11
November 2009
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Antiproliferative and Pro-apoptotic Effects of Uncaria tomentosa in Human Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Cells
BEATE RINNER, ZENG XIA LI, HELGA HAAS, VERONIKA SIEGL, SONJA STURM, HERMANN STUPPNER, ROSWITHA PFRAGNER
Anticancer Research Nov 2009, 29 (11) 4519-4528;

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Antiproliferative and Pro-apoptotic Effects of Uncaria tomentosa in Human Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Cells
BEATE RINNER, ZENG XIA LI, HELGA HAAS, VERONIKA SIEGL, SONJA STURM, HERMANN STUPPNER, ROSWITHA PFRAGNER
Anticancer Research Nov 2009, 29 (11) 4519-4528;
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