Orthosiphon stamineus Extracts Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Uterine Fibroid Cells

Abstract

Objectives: The effects of water and 50% ethanolic-water extracts of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth (OS) on cell<br />proliferation and apoptotic activity against uterine leiomyosarcoma (SK-UT-1) cells were investigated. Methods:<br />Anti-proliferation effect was evaluated through cell cycle analysis whereas apoptotic activity was determined via<br />screening and quantifying using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. The effect of<br />extracts on molecular mechanism was studied using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and<br />Western blotting. Results: Cell cycle flow cytometric analysis showed the induction of cell cycle arrests were behaves<br />in a p53-independent manner. The examination using fluorescence microscopy and Annexin V flow cytometry revealed<br />the presence of morphological features of apoptotic bodies. Downregulation of anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl-2) supports<br />the apoptotic activity of OS extracts although poorly induce PARP-1 cleavage in Western blot analysis. The extracts<br />also inhibit the SK-UT-1 growth by suppressing VEGF-A, TGF-β1 and PCNA genes, which involved in angiogenesis<br />and cell proliferation. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that O. stamineus extracts are able to inhibit proliferation<br />and induced apoptosis of uterine fibroid cells and is worth further investigation.