Methanolic extracts of two Betulaceae species from Spain, induced apoptosis in tumoral cell lines

The citotoxic activity of methanolic extracts of leaves and barks from Alnus glutinosa L. and Betula alba L. were studied over three tumoral cell lines (PC-3, HeLa and HT-29). The LDH test allows the determination of the necrotic effect of the extracts. Apoptosis was microscopically visualized after staining [1]. The extracts capacity to regulate the Tumoral Necrosis Factor-α (TNF- α) and the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) synthesis, was also analyzed by Sigma ELISA kits.

The plants antioxidant capacity was estimated by the DPPH assay [2]. The method evaluates antioxidation as the ability of the extracts to scavenge DPPH radical.

All the extracts show citotoxic activity against all cells, especially, B. alba leaves extracts over PC-3 cells (IC₅₀ <30µg/mL). The extracts citotoxicity was established via apoptosis. No necrosis was detected in treated cells.

Leaves and barks extracts from both plants decreased (p<0.05) the TNF- α synthesis induced by OK and TPA in HL-60 cell line. The VEGF expression was not altered by these plants.

B. alba leaves and A. glutinosa barks have strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity than the ascorbic acid.

These activities must be due to the phenolic compounds present in the extracts, as had been demonstrated in other Betulaceae species [3].

Acknowledgements: Universidad San Pablo CEU

References : 1. Chen, S.Y., Chen, C.H. (2002), J. Ch. Phar. Sci. 11: 48–51. 2. Koleva, I.I. (2000), Analytical Chem. 72: 2322–2328. 3. Ju, E.M. et al. (2004) Life Sci. 8: 1013–1026.