An ethanolic extract of Linum usitatissimum caused cell lethality and inhibition of cell vitality proliferation of MCF7 and BT20 mamma carcinoma cells in vitro
An ethanolic extract of Linum usitatissimum caused cell lethality and inhibition of cell vitality proliferation of MCF7 and BT20 mamma carcinoma cells in vitro
Year: 2013
Authors: Theil, C. Briese, V. Richter, D-U. Jeschke, U. Friese, K.
Publication Name: Arch Gynecol Obstet
Publication Details: doi. 10.1007/s00404-012-2699-2
Abstract:
Purpose Flaxseeds were shown to have anticancerogenic properties on breast cancer. In this work, an extract of roots of Linum usitatissimum was tested on MCF7 and BT20 mamma carcinoma cells in vitro. Methods The extract was produced by an ethanolic extraction method and its chemical composition was afterwards analysed by pyrolysis field ionization mass spectrometry. The extract was tested in concentrations from 0.01 to 1,000 lg/mL. Its effects were detected by measuring the influence on cell lethality, viability and proliferation. Results The extract was shown to contain mainly sterols and triterpenes (21.4 %), free fatty acids (17.8 %), lignin dimers (12.2 %) and lipids (7.7 %). High concentrations of the extract caused significant cell lethality and suppression of cell vitality and proliferation. Conclusions In this study, it was shown for the first time that an extract made of flax roots caused different anticancerogenic effects on MCF-7 and BT20 cells in vitro. The extract supposably acts as a plantal multicomponent mixture, whereas the main active agents are not yet indentified and can only be suggested. Summarized, roots of flax may contain potential agents in the therapy of mamma carcinomas. Further investigations have to be carried out. (Authors abstract)
Flaxseed has been shown to contain various anticancer effects on breast carcinomas. Until now, studies were clearly focused on the seeds of the flax. Previous unpublished studies by these authors have shown that extracts of flax roots have greater potential in in vitro experiments than flaxseed. In the present study, an extract of roots of Linum usitatissimum was produced and afterwards tested on two breast carcinoma cell lines, MCF7 and BT20, in vitro. Additionally, the molecular-chemical composition of the extract was examined by pyrolysis field ionization mass spectrometry. The aim of the study was to show whether there is an influence of the extract on the tumour cells in vitro and to explore potential effective agents of the plant. Two cell lines, MCF7 and BT20, with a different hormone receptor expression were used for gaining information of a possible role of the estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) in the mechanisms of action. Approximately 70 % of all breast cancer types show an expression of ER. In these cases, mainly estrogen is made responsible for the tumour growth. High concentrations of the extract caused various anticancerogenic effects on both MCF7 and BT20 cells in all used test methods. Inhibiting impacts began between 100 and 500 lg/mL in the LDH and MTT tests, whereas in the BrdU tests relevant effects could already be seen at
50 lg/mL. As the BrdU test is based on the measuring of DNA replication, these findings may imply that the leading mechanisms of action operate through a modification of tumour cell proliferation on a genetic level. The flax root extract contained mainly sterols/triterpenes (21.4 %) and free long chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (17.8 %). In this study an extract of L. usitatissimum was shown for the first time to cause clear cytotoxic and inhibiting effects on MCF7 and BT20 cells in vitro, when applied in high concentrations. For these effects both ER dependent and ER independent signal mechanisms are supposed, although the interpretations of the molecular mechanisms of action are still very hypothetical. The role of the phytoestrogens in the anticancerogenic effects is not yet fully understood. The authors suggest further investigations aiming to isolate responsible active substances as well as to understand their molecular mechanisms of action and interaction. Flax root or certain ingredients may be potential substances in the therapy of mamma carcinomas in the future. (Editors comments)
