Withania somnifera modulates cancer cachexia associated inflammatory cytokines and cell death in leukaemic THP-1 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC’s)
Date
2018-04-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central
Abstract
Background: Cancer and inflammation are associated with cachexia. Withania somnifera (W. somnifera) possesses
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. We investigated the potential of an aqueous extract of the root of W.
somnifera (WRE) to modulate cytokines, antioxidants and apoptosis in leukaemic THP-1 cells and peripheral blood
mononuclear cells (PBMC’s).
Methods: Cytotoxcity of WRE was determined at 24 and 72 h (h). Oxidant scavenging activity of WRE was evaluated
(2, 2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl assay). Glutathione (GSH) levels, caspase (− 8, − 9, − 3/7) activities and adenosine
triphosphate (ATP) levels (Luminometry) were thereafter assayed. Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6,
IL-1β and IL-10 levels were also assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay.
Results: At 24 h, WRE (0.2–0.4 mg/ml) decreased PBMC viability between 20 and 25%, whereas it increased THP-1
viability between 15 and 23% (p < 0.001). At 72 h, WRE increased PBMC viability by 27–39% (0.05, 0.4 mg/ml WRE)
whereas decreased THP-1 viability between 9 and 16% (0.05–0.4 mg/ml WRE) (p < 0.001). Oxidant scavenging activity was
increased by WRE (0.05–0.4 mg/ml, p < 0.0001). PBMC TNF-α and IL-10 levels were decreased by 0.2–0.4 mg/ml WRE,
whereas IL-1β levels were increased by 0.05–0.4 mg/ml WRE (p < 0.0001). In THP-1 cells, WRE (0.05–0.4 mg/ml) decreased
TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels (p < 0.0001). At 24 h, GSH levels were decreased in PBMC’s, whilst increased in THP-1 cells by
0.2–0.4 mg/ml WRE (p < 0.0001). At 72 h, WRE (0.1–0.4 mg/ml) decreased GSH levels in both cell lines (p < 0.0001). At 24 h,
WRE (0.2–0.4 mg/ml) increased PBMC caspase (-8, -3/7) activities whereas WRE (0.05, 0.1, 0.4 mg/ml) increased THP-1
caspase (-9, -3/7) activities (p < 0.0001). At 72 h, PBMC caspase (-8, -9, -3/7) activities were increased at 0.05–0.1 mg/ml WRE
(p < 0.0001). In THP-1 cells, caspase (-8, -9, -3/7) activities and ATP levels were increased by 0.1–0.2 mg/ml WRE, whereas
decreased by 0.05 and 0.4 mg/ml WRE (72 h, p < 0.0001).
Conclusion: In PBMC’s and THP-1 cells,WRE proved to effectively modulate antioxidant activity, inflammatory cytokines
and cell death. In THP-1 cells, WRE decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, which may alleviate cancer cachexia and
excessive leukaemic cell growth.
Description
CITATION: Naidoo, D. B., et al. 2018. Withania somnifera modulates cancer cachexia associated inflammatory cytokines and cell death in leukaemic THP-1 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC’s). BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 18:126, doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2192-y.
The original publication is available at https://bmccomplementalternmed.biomedcentral.com
The original publication is available at https://bmccomplementalternmed.biomedcentral.com
Keywords
Leukemia -- Treatment, Cancer -- Treatment, Withania somnifera, Cachexia, Cytokines
Citation
Naidoo, D. B., et al. 2018. Withania somnifera modulates cancer cachexia associated inflammatory cytokines and cell death in leukaemic THP-1 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC’s). BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 18:126, doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2192-y