In this study, the cytotoxic effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Sedum album L. on human stomach cancer cell line (AGS) and breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) were evaluated by MTT, BrdU and TUNEL assays. The results demonstrated that both extracts had antiproliferative and apoptotic effects in a dose-dependent manner. The MTT assay data revealed that the AGS cell underwent more cytotoxicity in comparison with the MCF-7 cell. It also revealed that ethanolic extract was more potent than aqueous extract. The BrdU assay results showed that the proliferation of AGS and MCF-7 cells was reduced to 50% and 43%, respectively, at the highest concentration of the aqueous extract. In addition, the ethanolic extract reduced the proliferation of AGS and MCF-7 cells to 75% and 60%, respectively. The AGS and MCF-7 cells underwent 52% and 12% apoptotic death upon treatment by the ethanolic extract as TUNEL assay showed. The aqueous extract induced 28% and 25% apoptosis in the AGS and MCF-7 cells, respectively. Both inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis are desirable strategies for cancer treatment among researchers. Identification of S. album compounds and analyzing their effects in animal model of cancer can help us with understanding its anti-cancer properties.
 

 

Catechin, epicatechin gallate (ECG) and quercetin, as bioactive flavonoids, have been shown to possess anticarcinogenic effects. Ceramide plays an important role in killing tumor cells. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to clarify the involvement of these compounds in ceramide metabolism in A549 cancerous cell line. Spectrophotometer, cell culture and HPLC methods were used. Cell viability index showed different potential of cytotoxicity effect for each of the studied agents, among which ECG was more potent. This index decreased significantly over 100 to 250 µM concentrations of treatment with respect to control. Cell treatments also caused considerable increase in ceramide level within cells in a dose-dependent manner. Sphingomyelinase activity increased significantly in treatment with quercetin and catechin. There was significant inhibition in acid ceramidase activity of cell extract in response to each of the three compounds, particularly over 100 µM in comparison with control. Data also showed no significant variation in glycosyl ceramide synthase activity in treated cells with quercetin, whereas the activity decreased significantly by Catechin and/or ECG. It is our conviction that different effects on ceramide metabolism enzymes may be related to various chemical groups on the common structure of the studied compounds. Due to structure-function relationship, these compounds had different effects on ceramide generation. Elevation in ceramide content in A549 cancer cell line induced apoptosis, which led to anti-cancerous effects, as observed in this study.