Asparagus Racemosus Leaf Extract Inhibits Growth of UOK 146 Renal Cell Carcinoma Cell Line: Simultaneous Oncogenic PRCCTFE3 Fusion Transcript Inhibition and Apoptosis Independent Cell Death

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate anti-cancer activity of Asparagus racemosus (AR) leaf extract on UOK146, a renal cellcarcinoma cell line, and explore its mechanism of action. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: Dried AR leaves were extractedwith chloroform and dissolved in DMSO. This extract was applied to UOK146 and cell death was estimated byMTT assay. In addition PRCC-TFE3 fusion transcripts were detected by real time PCR. <br/><b>Results</b>: Extract wasfound to be cytotoxic with an IC50 of 0.9 mg/ml as estimated by dose response curve. Antitumor activity of thepermissible doses of the extract was assessed by the down regulation of PRCC-TFE3 fusion transcript (38%)responsible for oncogenicity of the UOK146 cell line. No increment in the BAX, a proapoptotic marker levelwas observed. <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: Evidence of antiproliferative effect, PRCC-TFE3 fusion transcript inhibition andstatic BAX level clearly indicate that AR extract provides or elicits an apoptosis independent anticancer effecton RCC cells by some specific mechanism of regulation.