Title:Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf) Presents Antitumoral Effect and Improves Chemotherapy Activity in Prostate Cancer Cells
Volume: 21
Issue: 17
Author(s): Lucas F. Gomes, Pâmela J.H. Longhi, Larissa Machado, Ivana B. Mânica da Cruz, Marco A.E. Montano, Mathias Martins, Sérgio A. Machado, Jovani A. Steffani and Francine C. Cadoná*
Affiliation:
- Post-graduate Program in Health and Life Sciences, Franciscan University, Santa Maria, RS,Brazil
Keywords:
Prostate cancer, lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus, docetaxel, antitumor activity, chemotherapy synergism.
Abstract:
Background: Prostate cancer is the most common visceral neoplasia in men and frequently presents
chemotherapy resistance. In this context, lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf) has been studied
since it presents many important biological activities, such as anticancer.
Objective: We investigated the antitumor effect of lemongrass and in chemotherapy activity using prostate cancer
cells line (DU-145).
Methods: DU-145 cells were exposed to different concentrations of aqueous extract of lemongrass (30; 100;
300; 500 and 1000 μg/mL), isolated and in combination with docetaxel, during 24 and 72 hours. After, cell viability
and proliferation, oxidative metabolism, colony formation and cell cycle analyses were performed. Also,
we exposed the African green monkey kidney cell line (VERO) to the same lemongrass concentrations to investigate
a possible toxicity of this extract.
Results: Our findings suggested that lemongrass presented an antitumor effect and improved docetaxel chemotherapy
activity by decreasing cell viability and proliferation as well as colony formation. Moreover, we
found an oxidative stress increased and cell cycle arresting in G0 /G1 phase. In addition, this extract presented selectivity
action for cancer cells, since it did not cause cytotoxicity in normal cells, ensuring non-toxic therapeutic
concentrations.
Conclusion: Lemongrass is a promising medicinal plant that could be used during chemotherapeutic treatment,
in order to potentiate the antitumor response and decrease the resistance of prostate cancer.
