Antiproliferative response induced Euphorbia umbellata fractions and subfractions in melanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma tumor cells

Abstract

Resistance to the therapies currently offered for melanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma requires new research that seeks more effective therapeutic agents with less toxicity. The present study aimed to evaluate the antiproliferative, antitumor effects and the modulation of the mitochondrial electrical potential of the Acetate and Chloroform fractions and the sub-fractions Methanol, Ethanol, Dichloromethane and Ether, isolated from E. umbellata latex sap in murine melanoma cells (B16-F10), hepatocellular carcinoma tumor cells (Hepa1c1c7) and normal fibroblast cells (FN1). The Acetate and Chloroform fractions showed significantly cytotoxic potential for tumor cells B16-F10 and Hepa1c1c7, in addition to the fractions being sensitive to the ether and methanol compounds. Such compounds promoted the reduction of cell confluence, the modulation of mitochondrial electrical potential, the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, and the release of pro-apoptotic mechanisms that resulted in the death of both tumor lines.