Action of ultra-diluted ethanol extract of Bryonia alba on HepG2 liver cancer cells

INTRODUCTION

Alternative medicine is a broad term that includes an array of medical methods. These practices are typically supported by tradition and rarely taught in Western medical schools. Such practices range from the well-known ancient Eastern practices of acupuncture and Tai-chi to herbal medicine, chiropractic manipulation, Reiki, aromatherapy, massage therapy, folk healing, etc., and are generally used interchangeably with the word “alternative medicine,” a designation created in the 19^th century that distinguished these practices as “alternative” to allopathic medicine.^[1] As a medicinal plant, Bryonia is a prominent name that is being used primarily in homeopathy as an anti-inflammatory agent. According to Mert Ilhan et al., B.alba roots exhibited statistically significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antinociceptive activities that can serve as an alternative treatment for rheumatic disorders. It has also been widely used as a laxative and diuretic agent.^[2,3] The primary active components found in the B.alba extract are glucosides, cucurbitacin, and trihydroxyoctadecadienoic acids (THODA).^[2]

The biological activities of the active compounds are linked with the biosynthesis of corticosteroids and eicosanoids, which are important intermediary factors in the endocrine, immune, and nervous systems. For instance, after the devastating Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster, the extract of Bryonia was used to treat the workers who had experienced vegetovessel dystonia and other associated illnesses.^[2] It showed impressive results in preventing cytostatic side effects and radiation-induced disorders in cancer therapy.^[2] Most cucurbitacins have anti-tumor, cytotoxic, anthelmintic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardiovascular, and anti-diabetic properties. The effects of these properties depend on the target cells.^[4] For example, the free-radical scavenging activities and antioxidant capabilities of cucurbitacin E and cucurbitacin B glucosides have shown effective results in averting human diseases associated with free radical and oxidative stress.^[4,5] Considering their anti-inflammatory actions, it has been established that they are responsible for inhibiting the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) in lymphocytes and macrophages and interference with the activity of nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-κB).^[6–9] Various cucurbitacin compounds have shown antiproliferative effects on different human tumor xenografts and cancer cell lines, which include skin, prostate, breast, liver, lung, uterine cervix, and brain cancers.^[4]

Material and Methods

RESULTS

When Bryonia 6C was applied on HepG2 cells, all the cells became smaller in size, they were mildly degenerated, and methylene blue staining of the cells also indicated few dead cells. This was not the picture when the experiment was done with control alcohol; most cells were good looking and after methylene blue staining, many cells were viable [Figure 1].

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Figure 1

1 Hep G2 cells (24 h), 2 Bryonia 6C treated HepG2 oells (24 h), 3 Methylene blue stained Bryonia 6C treated HepG2 cells (24 h), 4 Methylene blue stained control alcohol treated HepG2 cells (24 h).

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MTT assay indicated that toxicity of Bryonia 6C was comparable to the toxicity of the vehicle alcohol by absorbance study [Figure 2]; however with Bryonia cells are smaller in size, degenerated which was not occuring with alcohol. Where the cells were intact although many of them were dead. Thus, the absorbance with Bryonia 6C was mildly increased .

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Figure 2

Results of MTT assay of Bryonia 6C on HepG2 cells.

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Cytokine studies showed decreased INF-γ (Control alcohol 30.21 , Br 6C 16.06), IL-6 (Control alcohol 8.59, Br 6C 2.23), IL-1β (Control alcohol 15.3, Br 6C 2.47), TNF-α (Control alcohol 5.43, Br 6C 1.57), TGF-β1 (Control alcohol 0.88, Br 6C 0.2), IL-8 (Control alcohol 0.63, Br 6C 0.15), IL-10 (Control alcohol 1.97, Br 6C 0.18), TGF-β3 (Control alcohol 0.95, Br 6C 0.11) when Bryonia 6C was added to HepG2 cells [Figure 3]. Thus, there was a cytokine imbalance. Although most of the cells were living after 24 hours, few cells were dead. In general, increased INF-γ usually helps in preventing the spread of cancer cells and it has also antitumorigenic efficacy.^[14] Increased IL-6 than IL-10 indicated induction of cytokine imbalance in the malignant cells by Bryonia 6C. The increase of IL-10 was comparatively much less and it cannot counteract IL-6. Thus, all these cytokine changes delineate a probable onset of a storm in the malignant cells in their bioactive chemical environment. This is detrimental and may lead to the later death of the cells. Mild DNA fragmentation was also found [Figure 4].

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Figure 3

Cytokine gene expressions of HepG2 cells challenged with Bryonia 6C.

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Figure 4

DNA fragmentation analysis of Bryonia 6C challenged HepG2 Cells in comparison to normal control.Bandyopadhyay, et al.: Action of ultra-diluted ethanol extract of Bryonia alba on HepG2 liver cancer cellsBandyopadhyay, et al.: Action of ultra-diluted ethanol extract of Bryonia alba on HepG2 liver cancer cells

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DISCUSSION

IFN-γ has a unique role in gene regulation as it can exhibit both pro- and anti-inflammatory roles.^[15] In the case of human erythroid colony-forming cells (ECFC), INF-γ gene persuades apoptosis and inhibits cell growth.^[14,16] In this study, a 1.88-fold decrease of IFN-γ has been observed.

IL-1β acts as a pro-inflammatory cytokine that has been involved in inflammation, pain, and autoimmune conditions.^[17] In this study, the expression of IL-1β has been decreased by 6.19-fold, which indicates that the drug Bryonia has successfully managed to suppress the pro-inflammatory activity of IL-1β.

TNF-α is one of the key pro-inflammatory cytokines.^[18] In the case of Bryonia challenged HepG2 cells, the expression was decreased 3.46 times than the control alcohol, which again indicates a positive anti-inflammatory effect of Bryonia.

IL-6 is one of the prime cytokines found at high concentrations in tumors. It plays an important role, and is known to be deregulated in cancer. The overexpression of IL-6 has been seen in almost all types of tumors. In the case of Bryonia challenged human liver carcinoma cells, it showed a substantial 3.85-fold reduction in IL-6 expression. Thus, inhibiting IL-6 signaling with Bryonia could work as a potential treatment for cancers.^[19]

IL-8 signaling is responsible for developing angiogenic responses in endothelial cells. IL-8 increases proliferation and helps endothelial and cancer cells to survive. It enhances the migration of endothelial cells, cancer cells, and infiltrating neutrophils at the tumor site.^[20] In this study, Bryonia treated HepG2 cells showed four times lesser IL-8 expression, which again indicates the positive effects of this drug.

The function of IL-10 in the development of the tumor is very controversial. Some scientific studies suggest that IL-10 has a positive contribution to tumor growth and promotion, whereas other studies have shown that it aids in the suppression and eradication of metastasis and angiogenesis necessary for long-term patient survival. In this experiment, the drug Bryonia managed to decrease the gene expression by 11-fold, which makes it hard to interpret the result.^[21]

TGF-β1 can be activated to inhibit the progression of tumors in HepG2 cells; then again, with the further development and progression of tumors, tumor cells are tolerant to the TGF-β1, resulting in the rapid growth of tumors.^[22] In this experiment, Bryonia made a considerable impact on the TGF-β1 gene by downregulating its expression by 4.4-fold.

According to Seystahl et al., a study on human glioblastoma showed high TGF-β3 expression in relation to poor survival of the cells; hence, therapeutic targeting of TGF-β3 might be most effective to fight tumors. Fortunately, in this study, Bryonia showed some promising results on human liver carcinoma cells by reducing the gene expression by 8.6-fold.^[23]

MTT assay indicated that toxicity of Bryonia 6C was comparable to the toxicity of the vehicle alcohol by absorbance study. DNA fragmentation was also observed using agarose gel electrophoresis and the result indicates that the cells might have gone through apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

The alternative medicine Bryonia 6C is an effective anti-cancer agent against liver cancer cells.