Expression of Cytotoxicity, ROS, MMP and Quantitative PCR of Barleria lupulina Lindl. on THP-1 Cells

Barleria lupulina Lindl. (Hop-headed) is a popular medicinal plant that has been used as drug plant since the ancient time. It is a large genus comprising of over 300 species of shrubs, and many of which are known for their ornamental and or medicinal values. The plant is commonly known as Sornomukhi, Hophead Philipine violet, Vishalyakarni, etc. It is native to India and widely distributed in Southern and Western India. The plant is a small shrub, possess potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-leukemic, antitumor, anti- hyperglycemic, anti-amoebic, virucidal, diuretic, bactericidal and antibiotic properties. Cytotoxicity, bioactive assay and genetic analysis of Barleria lupulina Lindl. were investigated in the present communication. The leaf extract of B. lupulina were investigated by MTT, NRU, DNA fragment, reactive oxygen species generation, mitochondrial membrane potential assay, gene expression analysis and cDNA synthesis to evaluate anti-cancerous potency using cancerous THP-1 cell lines in vitro and in vivo. HPTLC analysis reveals four spots and GC-MS analysis displayed the presence of eleven bioactive compounds among which benzofuranon, hexadecanoic acid, ethyl 9,12,15-octadecatrienoate, and 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecanoic acid were the most prominent compounds. The ethanolic extract showed significant cytotoxicity (P<0.5) against THP-1 cell line at a concentration of 1mg/ml. The cells were also observed for apoptosis through DNA fragmentation in B. lupulina treated cells. It can be concluded that if the dose range was further refined within the range of 100-1000 μg/ml there could be dose at which the entire population of the THP-1 cell line would be apoptosis induced. The extract induced ROS in the cells after 30 minutes of exposure displaying cytotoxic effects and DNA fragmentation assay. The B. lupulina contain anti-cancerous activity so that it can be used as an alternative drug.