Study of the cytotoxic activity of Styrax camporum extract and its chemical markers, egonol and homoegonol

Author(s)

de Oliveira, Pollyanna Francielli ; Damasceno, Jaqueline Lopes ; Bertanha, Camila Spereta ; Barbosa Araujo, Alba Regina ; Pauletti, Patricia Mendonca ; Tavares, Denise Crispim

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Cytotechnology; v. 68, n. 4, p. 1597-1602, AUG 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

The benzofuran lignans egonol and homoegonol are found in all species of the genus Styrax. Since natural products are important sources of new anticancer drugs, this study evaluated the cytotoxic activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of the stems of S. camporum (SCHE) and their chemical markers, egonol (EG) and homoegonol (HE), against different tumor cell lines (B16F10, MCF-7, HeLa, HepG2, and MO59J). A normal human cell line (GM07492A) was included. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated at different treatment times (24, 48 and 72 h) using the XTT assay. More effective results were observed after 72 h of treatment. The lowest IC50 values were found for the HepG2 cell line, ranging from 11.2 to 55.0 A mu g/mL. The combination of EG and HE exerted higher cytotoxic activity than SCHE or treatment with either lignan alone, with the lowest IC50 (13.31 A mu g/mL) being observed for the MCF-7 line. Furthermore, treatment with these lignans was significantly more cytotoxic for some tumor cell lines compared to the normal cell line, GM07492A, indicating selectivity. These results suggest that these lignans may be used to treat cancer without affecting normal cells. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/13903-9 - Evaluation of genotoxic and antioxidant activities of Styrax camporum hydroalcoholic extract and their chemical markers, egonol and homoegonol, and their influence on genomic and pre-neoplasic lesions
• Grantee: Denise Crispim Tavares
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants