K L Lam1, K L Yang, E Sunderasan, M T Ong. 1. Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Latex from Hevea brasiliensis (natural rubber tree primarily cultivated for its rubber particles) has no known primary metabolic function, although its biological role is as a plant defence system. The present study has evaluated specific anti-proliferative effects of latex whole C-serum and its subfractions, on human cancer cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell viability assay using MTT, DNA fragmentation assay and real-time PCR were used to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of latex whole C-serum and its subfractions on the cell lines. RESULTS: MTT assay revealed very low LC(50) values, 2.0 and 280 ng/ml, for DCS and DCP treatments, respectively. DCS was proven to be more potent compared to DCP, in conferring specific anti-proliferative effects on the cancer cell lines. The study also indicated that anti-proliferative activity of pre-heated C-serum fractions diminished significantly. CONCLUSION: Although noteworthy cell death was reported, DNA fragmentation assay and real-time PCR confirmed that that induced by latex C-serum subfractions was not promoted via the classical apoptotic signalling pathway.
OBJECTIVES: Latex from Hevea brasiliensis (natural rubber tree primarily cultivated for its rubber particles) has no known primary metabolic function, although its biological role is as a plant defence system. The present study has evaluated specific anti-proliferative effects of latex whole C-serum and its subfractions, on humancancer cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell viability assay using MTT, DNA fragmentation assay and real-time PCR were used to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of latex whole C-serum and its subfractions on the cell lines. RESULTS:MTT assay revealed very low LC(50) values, 2.0 and 280 ng/ml, for DCS and DCP treatments, respectively. DCS was proven to be more potent compared to DCP, in conferring specific anti-proliferative effects on the cancer cell lines. The study also indicated that anti-proliferative activity of pre-heated C-serum fractions diminished significantly. CONCLUSION: Although noteworthy cell death was reported, DNA fragmentation assay and real-time PCR confirmed that that induced by latex C-serum subfractions was not promoted via the classical apoptotic signalling pathway.