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

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.

• Authors: Susana Sánchez-Tena, María L Fernández-Cachón, Anna Carreras, M Luisa Mateos-Martín, Noelia Costoya, Mary P Moyer, María J Nuñez, Josep L Torres, Marta Cascante
• Journal: Journal of natural products (J Nat Prod) Vol. 75 Issue 1 Pg. 26-33 (Jan 27 2012) ISSN: 1520-6025 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22216935 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• Hexoses
• Hydrolyzable Tannins
• Gallic Acid
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• hamamelitannin

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Colonic Neoplasms
• Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
• Gallic Acid (analogs & derivatives, chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Hamamelis (chemistry)
• Hexoses (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Humans
• Hydrogen Peroxide (analysis)
• Hydrolyzable Tannins (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Molecular Structure
• Plant Bark (chemistry)