Anticancer activity of novel extracts from Cautleya gracilis (Smith) Dandy: apoptosis in human medullary thyroid
Zengxia Li1, Sonja Sturm, Bernhard Svejda
1Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, Center of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Background:
Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a calcitonin-producing tumor of the thyroid arising from the parafollicular C-cells. MTC is poorly responsive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, hence the only effective therapy is surgery. Based on this fact, alternative strategies have been sought.
Materials And Methods:
The effects of Cautleya gracilis (Smith) Dandy were investigated for the first time in three human MTC cell lines and in MTC-transplanted mice. Proliferation and viability were quantified by cell counting, WST-1 tests, and ATP luminescent cell viability assays. Apoptosis was studied by DAPI staining, flow cytometry and luminescent assays for caspases 3/7, 8 and 9.
Results:
A dose-dependent reduction of proliferation and an induction of apoptosis were found in all MTC cell lines, while normal fibroblasts were not impaired. Similar tumor inhibition was seen in heterotransplanted mice.
Conclusion:
Our in vitro and in vivo findings suggest a new potential clinical effect of Cautleya.
