RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Probing the Molecular Mechanisms Governing the Oncolytic Activity of <em>Paeonia suffruticosa</em> on Triple-negative Breast Cancer Cells <em>In Vitro</em>
JF Anticancer Research
JO Anticancer Res
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 4813
OP 4819
VO 37
IS 9
A1 DONGYEON KIM
A1 DANIEL RADIN
A1 DONNA LEONARDI
YR 2017
UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/37/9/4813.abstract
AB Background/Aim: Extracts of Paeonia suffruticosa are traditionally used in Chinese medicine to increase blood flow. Recently, this extract has been shown to possess anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties, though this mechanism remains unknown. In the current work, we prepared extracts of P. suffruticosa and analyzed their effects on MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells. Materials and Methods: Varying concentrations of an aqueous extract of P. suffruticosa was administered to MDA-MB-231. An MTS assay was used to determine the cell viability. Cytokine production was investigated through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Caspase-Glo assays were performed to measure caspase 3/7, 8 and 9 to analyze anti-apoptotic effects. Results: MTS assay for cell viability revealed that the extract increased viability at low concentrations (0.6 mg/ml) and decreased viability observed at concentrations ≥2.5 mg/ml (p&lt;0.01). ELISA for IL-6, IL-2, and TNF-alpha revealed a biphasic dose-response inversely related to viability (p&lt;0.05). IL-24 expression also increased at 2.5 mg/ml and 4.0 mg/ml (p&lt;0.05). Bax levels remained relatively constant while Bcl-2 decreased significantly in all concentrations (p&lt;0.01). Small decreases in Fas ligand levels was observed in parallel with a lack of increase in caspase-8 activity. Most notable was that while 4mg/ml of P. suffruticosa extract reduced MDA-MB-231 viability by &gt;60% (p&lt;0.01), the same concentration reduced the viability of non-transformed HaCat cells by ~8% (p&gt;0.05), suggesting a selective oncolytic effect. Conclusion: P. suffruticosa extract has the ability to modulate the production of several tumor suppressive cytokines, induce intrinsic apoptosis and has the capability of reducing cancer burden while sparing healthy tissue.