S37 Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Ebenus boissieri Barbey on human lung cancer cell line A549

Background: Fabaceae family members are known to possess preventive and therapeutic potentials against various types of cancers. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of hydroalcoholic extracts from the aerial parts and roots of an endemic Ebenus species; Ebenus boissieri Barbey in human lung cancer cell line. Materials and Methods: After treatment with hydroalcoholic extracts cytotoxic activities of both extracts were measured by 3‑(4, 5‑dimethylthiazolyl‑2)‑2,5‑diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, whereas caspase‑3 activity, tumor necrosis factor‑alpha (TNF‑α) and interferon gamma (IFN‑γ) release were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results: According to in vitro assay results, the increase in all caspases activity suggested that extracts induce cells to undergo apoptosis. Especially, induction in caspase‑3 activity was the most remarkable result of this study. Both aerial part and root extracts induced apoptosis by increasing caspase‑3 activity, TNF‑α and IFN‑γ release. When compared to their relative controls, the concentrations of both TNF‑α and IFN‑γ in extract‑treated groups were significantly and dose dependently exalted. Conclusion: Taken together, our results indicate that the hydroalcoholic extracts of E. boissieri can be considered as a source of new anti‑apoptotic and therefore anti‑carcinogenic agent.