Affiliations 

  • 1 Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Cell Prolif, 2012 Dec;45(6):577-85.
PMID: 23046445 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2184.2012.00841.x

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Latex from Hevea brasiliensis (natural rubber tree primarily cultivated for its rubber particles) has no known primary metabolic function, although its biological role is as a plant defence system. The present study has evaluated specific anti-proliferative effects of latex whole C-serum and its subfractions, on human cancer cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell viability assay using MTT, DNA fragmentation assay and real-time PCR were used to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of latex whole C-serum and its subfractions on the cell lines.

RESULTS: MTT assay revealed very low LC(50) values, 2.0 and 280 ng/ml, for DCS and DCP treatments, respectively. DCS was proven to be more potent compared to DCP, in conferring specific anti-proliferative effects on the cancer cell lines. The study also indicated that anti-proliferative activity of pre-heated C-serum fractions diminished significantly.

CONCLUSION: Although noteworthy cell death was reported, DNA fragmentation assay and real-time PCR confirmed that that induced by latex C-serum subfractions was not promoted via the classical apoptotic signalling pathway.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.