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- Title
Potential Antiproliferative and Antimetastatic Effects of Artemisia eriantha : An In Vitro Study Focused on Hepatocarcinoma Cells.
- Authors
Pace, Loretta; Ragusa, Federica; Lizzi, Lara; Armillotta, Maria Giovanna; Massimi, Mara
- Abstract
Simple Summary: Artemisia eriantha (Apennine Genepì) is a subendemic species native to the Central Apennines, valued locally for its use in traditional and ancient medicine due to its antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, digestive, and antispasmodic properties. Many of these benefits are shared with other species within the Artemisia genus, which have also recently demonstrated anti-tumor properties. However, the potential cytotoxic and/or antitumor effects of A. eriantha have not yet been explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-proliferative, antitumor, and anti-metastatic properties of the plant using in vitro models of liver cancer cells. Treatment with an extract of A. eriantha inhibited the proliferation, survival, migration, and metastatic capabilities of liver cancer cell lines. A. eriantha extract appears to influence key factors associated with cancer cell proliferation and invasion, positioning it as a promising candidate for further research as an adjuvant in the prevention or treatment of liver cancer. Artemisia eriantha is a subendemic species of the Central Apennine, valued locally for its applications in ancient and traditional medicine for its antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, digestive, and antispasmodic effects. Several of these properties are also found in other species within the same genus, including recent findings highlighting their anti-tumor actions. However, the presence of cytotoxic or anti-tumor activity has never been studied in A. eriantha. The aim of this study was thus to assess the potential anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and antimetastatic effects of this plant using in vitro models of hepatocarcinoma cells (HepG2 and Huh7 cells). Treatment with A. eriantha extract (130 μg/mL) resulted in the reduced proliferation of HepG2 and Huh7 cells, driven by the dysregulation of proteins involved in the cell cycle (such as cyclin D1, cyclin E, and p27) and the activation of the p53-p21 pathway, leading to an increase in apoptotic activity. In addition, the treatment also lowered the healing capability after scratch wounds in Huh7 cells, which are characterized by a remarkable migratory capacity, suggesting that the A. eriantha extract may also be effective in controlling the migration and spread of metastatic cells. In conclusion, A. eriantha extract 130 μg/mL appears to interfere with key factors of HepG2 and Huh7 cell proliferation and invasion and emerges as a potential new adjuvant for the prevention and/or treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Additional research is necessary to establish if the effects observed are cell-specific and to elucidate the mechanisms of action and signaling pathways underlying its effectiveness.
- Subjects
CANCER cell proliferation; LIVER cancer; ANCIENT medicine; LIVER cells; HEPATOCELLULAR carcinoma
- Publication
Biology (2079-7737), 2024, Vol 13, Issue 12, p985
- ISSN
2079-7737
- Publication type
Academic Journal
- DOI
10.3390/biology13120985