Anti-metastatic effects of aqueous extract of Helixanthera parasitica

J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Jun;86(2-3):253-6. doi: 10.1016/s0378-8741(03)00072-2.

Abstract

Metastasis, the spread of cancer in body, is a major cause of death. We have screened anti-metastatic activity of aqueous and dichloromethane extracts of several not previously studied Thai herbs, using an in vitro invasion test. This involves the in vitro invasion of HCC-S102, a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line derived from a Thai patient, through a reconstituted-basement membrane (Matrigel). The aqueous extract of a plant (Helixanthera parasitica) revealed a significant inhibitory effect on the cancer cell invasion, and showed antioxidant activity. The aqueous extract was partially purified by silica gel column chromatography, and the highest anti-metastatic activity fraction showed 83% inhibition of invasion with low cytotoxic effect. However, anti-metastatic activity was not associated with the antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic* / isolation & purification*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic* / pharmacology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Plant Extracts* / isolation & purification*
  • Plant Extracts* / therapeutic use
  • Plants, Medicinal*
  • Thailand
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Plant Extracts