Terfezia boudieri: A Desert Truffle With Anticancer and Immunomodulatory Activities

Title

Terfezia boudieri: A Desert Truffle With Anticancer and Immunomodulatory Activities

Abstract

Desert truffles have high nutritional value and grow wild in the Mediterranean basin
and Western Asia. Although, many studies were performed to evaluate truffles
nutritious values and phytochemical composition, studies are limited to evaluate their
anticancer and/ or immunomodulatory effects. Our study was conducted to evaluate
the anticancer and immunomodulatory effects of Terfezia boudieri (desert truffle).
Different solvent extracts were prepared from the truffle and MTT assay was used to
measure their anticancer activity against cancer cell lines (T47D, MCF-7, MDA-MB231,
HCT-116, and Hela). Total phenolic content in each extract was determined by using
Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and qualitative phytochemical screening was performed using
standard methods. The degree of apoptosis induction (using caspase 3 assay) and
vascular endothelial growth factor expression were detected using standard kits.
Also, ELISA was used to measure levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 secreted by
splenocytes after treatment with the extracts. The effect of the extracts on splenocytes
proliferation was measured using MTT assay. Macrophage function was evaluated using
nitro blue tetrazolium assay and pinocytosis function was evaluated using neutral red
method. Terpenoids, phytosterols, and carbohydrates were present in all the solvent
extracts, while tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids were detected only in aqueous/methanol
and aqueous extracts. The highest total phenolic content was observed in aqueous
and aqueous methanol extracts. The growth of cancer cell lines was inhibited by
T. boudieri extracts in a dose dependent manner. N-hexane extract was the most potent
against most cell lines. Aqueous/methanol extract showed high apoptosis induction and
angiogenesis suppression effects. An increase in TH1 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2) level and
a decrease in TH2 cytokine (IL-4) level were evident after lymphocytes stimulation by
aqueous/methanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of T. boudieri. Ethyl acetate
extract of T. boudieri were the most potent extracts to stimulate lymphocytes proliferation
while all other extracts showed moderate stimulation. Aqueous/methanol extract was
the most active extract to stimulate phagocytosis. Ethyl acetate extract was the most
active extract to stimulate pinocytosis. The use of T. boudieri provides variable health
benefits. N-hexane, ethyl acetate, and aqueous/methanol extracts exhibited anticancer
activities and are potent stimulators of innate and acquired immunity. Further testing is
needed to identify the biologically active compounds and detect them quantitatively using
GC-MS analysis.

Scientific Type

تطبيقي

Link

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2020.00038/full

Journal volume

vol.7

Collaboration type

مشترك

Publish Date

August 4, 2020

Participated Universities (Publication)

Alnoor University

Applied Science Private University

Zayed University

Scopus status

In Scopus

Scopus index year

2 020

Scopus quarter

2

Scopus citation score

5

Clarivate status

In Clarivate

Clarivate index year

2 020

Clarivate impafact

5

Pub. Med. status

In PubMed

Author (Publication)

وفاء محمد علي حامد

Journal (Publication)

Frontiers in Nutrition

Publisher (Publication)

Lausanne: Frontiers Media S.A., 2014

ISSN

2296-861X

Country (Publication)

Switzerland

Country type

عالمية

College (Publication)

College of Pharmacy

Departement (Publication)

Department of Pharmacy