1. Academic Validation
  2. Hamamelitannin from witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) displays specific cytotoxic activity against colon cancer cells

Hamamelitannin from witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) displays specific cytotoxic activity against colon cancer cells

  • J Nat Prod. 2012 Jan 27;75(1):26-33. doi: 10.1021/np200426k.
Susana Sánchez-Tena 1 María L Fernández-Cachón Anna Carreras M Luisa Mateos-Martín Noelia Costoya Mary P Moyer María J Nuñez Josep L Torres Marta Cascante
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, IBUB, Unit Associated with CSIC, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract

Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) bark is a rich source of condensed and hydrolyzable tannins reported to exert a protective action against colon Cancer. The present study characterizes different witch hazel tannins as selective cytotoxic agents against colon Cancer. To cover the structural diversity of the tannins that occur in H. virginiana bark, the hydrolyzable tannins, hamamelitannin and pentagalloylglucose, together with a proanthocyanidin-rich fraction (F800H4) were selected for the study. Treatment with these compounds reduced tumor viability and induced Apoptosis, necrosis, and S-phase arrest in the cell cycle of HT29 cells, with hamamelitannin being the most efficient. Owing to polyphenol-mediated H(2)O(2) formation in the incubation media, the antiproliferative effect was determined in the presence and absence of catalase to rule out any such interference. The presence of catalase significantly changed the IC(50) only for F800H4. Furthermore, at concentrations that inhibit the growth of HT29 cells by 50%, hamamelitannin had no harmful effects on NCM460 normal colonocytes, whereas pentagalloylglucose inhibited both cancerous and normal cell growth. Using the TNPTM assay, we identified a highly reactive phenolic position in hamamelitannin, which may explain its efficacy at inhibiting colon Cancer growth.

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