Abstract B50: Antiproliferative activity of the polar extract of Justicia spicigera on LNCaP cells Free

Justicia spicigera is a Mexican plant employed in traditional medicine for treatment of anemia, stomach illness and skin diseases. Furthermore, it has been suggested that this plant has anticancer properties on leukemia patients and in other types of cancer. However, the scientific evidence supporting these properties is not sufficient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Justicia spicigera on proliferation and viability of the androgen-dependent human prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP.A polar extract was obtained by exhaustive maceration with water and ethanol (v/v) of the air parts of the plant. The phytochemical analysis by the color test and thin layer chromatography (TLC) showed the presence of antioxidant compounds like coumarins, flavonoids and anthocyanins, which was corroborated by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (H¹ NMR). At the same time, the extract showed the presence of polyphenolic compounds detected by the Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent. The reducing power and the free radical scavenging capacity, was not too high in comparison with other less polar extracts of this plant, this could be explained by the high rate of glycosylation of the compounds in the sample. In the other hand, the polar extract of Justicia spicigera showed an antiproliferative activity on LNCaP cells since 500 g/ml of extract, measured by the MTT assay and direct cell account. Interestingly, cell morphology was not affected under these conditions. Likewise, the same extract did not show a relevant citotoxic effect (MTT assay) or an affectation on cellular viability (trypan blue assay) of LNCaP cells. Our study showed an antiproliferative effect of the polar extract of Justicia spicigera on LNCaP cells suggesting a potential use as anticancer agent. Further studies should focus on the characterization of compounds responsible of the effects observed on LNCaP cells, as well as in the definition of the mechanisms by which they affect the growth of these cells.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):B50.