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Dandelion root extract affects colorectal cancer proliferation and survival through the activation of multiple death
Pamela Ovadje1, Saleem Ammar2, Jose-Antonio Guerrero2,3
1Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor ON, Canada.
Abstract:
Dandelion extracts have been studied extensively in recent years for its anti-depressant and anti-inflammatory activity. Recent work from our lab, with in-vitro systems, shows the anti-cancer potential of an aqueous dandelion root extract (DRE) in several cancer cell models, with no toxicity to non-cancer cells. In this study, we examined the cancer cell-killing effectiveness of an aqueous DRE in colon cancer cell models. Aqueous DRE induced programmed cell death (PCD) selectively in > 95% of colon cancer cells, irrespective of their p53 status, by 48 hours of treatment. The anti-cancer efficacy of this extract was confirmed in in-vivo studies, as the oral administration of DRE retarded the growth of human colon xenograft models by more than 90%. We found the activation of multiple death pathways in cancer cells by DRE treatment, as revealed by gene expression analyses showing the expression of genes implicated in programmed cell death. Phytochemical analyses of the extract showed complex multi-component composition of the DRE, including some known bioactive phytochemicals such as α-amyrin, β-amyrin, lupeol and taraxasterol. This suggested that this natural extract could engage and effectively target multiple vulnerabilities of cancer cells. Therefore, DRE could be a non-toxic and effective anti-cancer alternative, instrumental for reducing the occurrence of cancer cells drug-resistance.
Insights
Aqueous dandelion root extract (DRE) effectively eliminates over 95% of colon cancer cells in vitro and inhibits tumor growth in vivo. This natural extract shows promise as a non-toxic, multi-pathway targeting anti-cancer alternative.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Dandelion extracts exhibit anti-depressant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Previous in vitro studies indicated anti-cancer potential of aqueous dandelion root extract (DRE).
- DRE demonstrated no toxicity to non-cancer cells in prior investigations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-cancer efficacy of aqueous DRE in colon cancer models.
- To determine the mechanism of cancer cell death induced by DRE.
- To evaluate the in vivo anti-cancer activity of DRE against human colon xenografts.
Main Methods:
- In vitro treatment of colon cancer cells with aqueous DRE.
- Assessment of programmed cell death (PCD) induction and p53 status.
- In vivo oral administration of DRE to human colon xenograft models.
- Gene expression analysis to identify activated death pathways.
- Phytochemical analysis of the DRE composition.
Main Results:
- Aqueous DRE induced PCD in >95% of colon cancer cells within 48 hours, regardless of p53 status.
- Oral DRE administration significantly retarded human colon xenograft growth by over 90%.
- DRE treatment activated multiple cancer cell death pathways, confirmed by gene expression analysis.
- Phytochemical analysis revealed a complex composition including α-amyrin, β-amyrin, lupeol, and taraxasterol.
Conclusions:
- Aqueous DRE exhibits potent, selective anti-cancer activity against colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.
- DRE engages multiple cancer cell death pathways, suggesting a robust anti-tumor mechanism.
- DRE represents a promising, non-toxic natural alternative for cancer therapy, potentially overcoming drug resistance.
