Anticancer potential of Reynoutria japonica Houtt. in vitro root extract on lymphoma cell lines.

BACKGROUND

Plant-derived polyphenols, including catechins, have been extensively studied for their anticancer properties for years. However, complex plant extracts may exhibit enhanced activity compared to isolated compounds owing to synergistic/additive phytochemical interactions. To date, the anticancer potential of extracts from in vitro-grown roots of Reynoutria japonica Houtt., a plant rich in catechins, has not been investigated.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer activity of R. japonica root extract obtained from in vitro culture and to compare its effects with isolated catechins, with particular emphasis on the extract's potent synergistic/additive effects.

METHODS

Methanolic root extracts and pure catechins were tested against five human cancer cell lines (A549, MDA-MB-231, Ramos, Namalwa, Raji) and human fibroblasts (BJ) as a control using the MTT assay. The mode of cell death was assessed by flow cytometry and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. In vivo toxicity of the extract and pure compounds was evaluated in the insect model Galleria mellonella.

RESULTS

The root extract induced a reduction in cancer cell viability comparable to that observed for isolated catechins, despite containing substantially lower concentrations of these compounds. This effect was most pronounced in lymphoma cells, which showed the highest sensitivity to extract treatment. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that the extract predominantly triggered apoptotic cell death.

CONCLUSION

Despite its low catechin concentration, the extract from roots of R. japonica Houtt. Exhibits biological activity comparable to that of higher concentrations of pure catechins, suggesting possible synergistic or additive interactions within the phytochemical matrix. Furthermore, toxicological evaluation in the insect model revealed no adverse effects of the extract at biologically active doses.