ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTICANCER ACTIVITIES OF TERMINALIA FERDINANDIANA (KAKADU PLUM)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Kakadu Plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell, Combretaceae) is an Australian native plant endemic to the tropical northern regions of Australia. It is known for its extremely high ascorbic acid and antioxidant content. Previous studies indicate that Kakadu plum may have medicinal potential in the treatment of various diseases. This study aimed to investigate its potential to quell free radicals and its role as an anticancer agent.
Methods: Dehydrated Kakadu plum fruit were extracted with a variety of solvents and the extracts were dried and resuspended as aqueous solutions. The extracts were tested ...
View more >ABSTRACT Introduction: Kakadu Plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell, Combretaceae) is an Australian native plant endemic to the tropical northern regions of Australia. It is known for its extremely high ascorbic acid and antioxidant content. Previous studies indicate that Kakadu plum may have medicinal potential in the treatment of various diseases. This study aimed to investigate its potential to quell free radicals and its role as an anticancer agent. Methods: Dehydrated Kakadu plum fruit were extracted with a variety of solvents and the extracts were dried and resuspended as aqueous solutions. The extracts were tested for their antioxidative potential in established assays. The extracts were also tested in vitro for anticancer activity by exposing a variety of cancer cells and normal cell lines to the extracts and noting cell viability and cell death. Results: Kakadu Plum extracts exhibited substantial anti-oxidative activity, reducing power, superoxide anion scavenging potential, DPPH radical scavenging activity and ability to limit lipid peroxidation in antioxidant assays. Subsequent trials of Kakadu plum extracts against normal cell lines (Hs 738.St/Int, CCD-18Co ect.) and cancer cell lines (AGS, HT-29, HL-60 etc.) were attempted to confirm previous studies. Positive results were noted against all cancer cell lines, yet the normal cells were largely unaffected. The extracts were also tested against a wider panel of cancer cell lines, exhibiting anticancer activity against most cancer cell lines tested. Equally important, the Kakadu plum extracts did not inhibit the viability of any normal cell line tested. Conclusions: Kakadu plum extracts show promise in the treatment of a variety of different types of cancer, yet are non-toxic towards normal cell lines.
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View more >ABSTRACT Introduction: Kakadu Plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell, Combretaceae) is an Australian native plant endemic to the tropical northern regions of Australia. It is known for its extremely high ascorbic acid and antioxidant content. Previous studies indicate that Kakadu plum may have medicinal potential in the treatment of various diseases. This study aimed to investigate its potential to quell free radicals and its role as an anticancer agent. Methods: Dehydrated Kakadu plum fruit were extracted with a variety of solvents and the extracts were dried and resuspended as aqueous solutions. The extracts were tested for their antioxidative potential in established assays. The extracts were also tested in vitro for anticancer activity by exposing a variety of cancer cells and normal cell lines to the extracts and noting cell viability and cell death. Results: Kakadu Plum extracts exhibited substantial anti-oxidative activity, reducing power, superoxide anion scavenging potential, DPPH radical scavenging activity and ability to limit lipid peroxidation in antioxidant assays. Subsequent trials of Kakadu plum extracts against normal cell lines (Hs 738.St/Int, CCD-18Co ect.) and cancer cell lines (AGS, HT-29, HL-60 etc.) were attempted to confirm previous studies. Positive results were noted against all cancer cell lines, yet the normal cells were largely unaffected. The extracts were also tested against a wider panel of cancer cell lines, exhibiting anticancer activity against most cancer cell lines tested. Equally important, the Kakadu plum extracts did not inhibit the viability of any normal cell line tested. Conclusions: Kakadu plum extracts show promise in the treatment of a variety of different types of cancer, yet are non-toxic towards normal cell lines.
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Conference Title
3rd International Symposium on Medicinal Plants, Their Cultivation and Aspects of Uses
Publisher URI
Subject
Biochemistry and Cell Biology not elsewhere classified