Hazelnut Extract Boosts Cancer Cell Death in Lung and Breast Cancer

Greg Howard
2nd July, 2024

Hazelnut Extract Boosts Cancer Cell Death in Lung and Breast Cancer

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study from Giresun University focused on the anticancer effects of Turkish hazelnut leaf extracts on lung and breast cancer cells
  • Hazelnut leaf extracts significantly reduced the viability of lung and breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner
  • The extracts induced apoptosis in cancer cells, confirmed by the presence of key apoptotic markers
  • Hazelnut leaf extracts also inhibited the migration of cancer cells, suggesting potential to prevent cancer spread
Cancer remains a formidable challenge in modern medicine, with resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapies posing significant hurdles. Research has been exploring natural sources for potent anticancer compounds, and recent studies have highlighted the potential of Corylus avellana L. (hazel) in this domain. A new study from Giresun University investigates the anticancer and apoptotic effects of Turkish hazelnut (Corylus avellana L. cv Tombul) leaf extracts on lung and breast cancer cells[1]. The study utilized methanol and ethanol extracts of hazelnut leaves to assess their impact on cancer cell viability. The effectiveness of these extracts was measured using the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) and Adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP) assays. These assays are standard methods for determining the number of viable cells in proliferation and cytotoxicity studies. The results showed that methanol extracts were particularly effective, exhibiting dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth. Specifically, the IC50 values (the concentration required to inhibit cell growth by 50%) were notably low for H1299 lung cancer cells (5.91 µg/ml for methanol extract), indicating strong cytotoxic activity. To understand the mode of cell death induced by hazelnut leaf extracts, the study employed double fluorescence staining, which revealed morphological changes consistent with apoptosis—a programmed cell death mechanism crucial for eliminating cancer cells. Apoptosis was further confirmed by caspase-mediated cytokeratin 18 (M30 ELISA) and western blot analysis. The presence of key apoptotic markers such as PARP, caspase 3, caspase 8, and DR4 was visualized, supporting the conclusion that hazelnut leaf extracts trigger apoptosis in cancer cells. In addition to inducing cell death, hazelnut leaf extracts were found to inhibit cell migration in lung and breast cancer cell lines, as demonstrated by a wound healing test. This test measures the ability of cells to move and fill a gap created in a cell monolayer, a process essential for cancer metastasis. The inhibition of cell migration suggests that hazelnut leaf extracts could potentially prevent cancer spread. These findings align with earlier research indicating the anticancer potential of hazel. Previous studies have shown that hazel produces paclitaxel, a well-known chemotherapeutic agent, and that extracts from hazel cells exhibit strong cytotoxic effects[2][3]. Moreover, the presence of other bioactive compounds in hazel, such as quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, has been linked to reduced viability in various cancer cell lines[4]. The current study builds on this knowledge by demonstrating that hazelnut leaf extracts not only reduce cell viability but also effectively induce apoptosis and inhibit cell migration. The use of hazelnut leaf extracts could represent a novel approach in cancer treatment, particularly for lung and breast cancers. The study's methodology, which included comprehensive assays and advanced techniques like western blotting, provides robust evidence for the anticancer properties of hazelnut leaves. By elucidating the mechanisms of cell death and migration inhibition, this research paves the way for the development of new therapeutic strategies based on natural compounds. In conclusion, the research conducted by Giresun University underscores the significant potential of Turkish hazelnut leaf extracts in cancer treatment. By inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cell migration, these extracts could offer valuable insights and tools for combating resistant cancer types. This study, along with previous findings, highlights the importance of exploring natural sources for anticancer compounds, potentially leading to more effective and less toxic treatments for cancer patients.

MedicineHealthBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Inducing Effect of Corylus avellana on Cytotoxic Activity in Lung and Breast Cancer Cells via Apoptosis

Published 1st July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-024-01198-3

Related Studies

2) Effect of phenylalanine on Taxol production and antioxidant activity of extracts of suspension-cultured hazel (Corylus avellana L.) cells.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-012-0696-1

3) New synergistic co-culture of Corylus avellana cells and Epicoccum nigrum for paclitaxel production.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-019-02148-8

4) Viability-reducing activity of Coryllus avellana L. extracts against human cancer cell lines.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2017.02.046


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