In vitro characterization of some of the anti-cancer effects of Borage officinalis flower extracts on human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line, (AGS), cell line

Worldwide, gastric cancer is considered to be a major health issue, which is common in eastern Asia, with high death rates recorded, that calls for immediate attention and investigation. This article is exploring the effects of methanol and acetone extracts of borage, Borage officinals, flowers with a range of concentrations (10, 50, 100, 250, and 500 μg/ml) on the human gastric cancer, AGS cell line. Fifteen gm of flower powder was suspended separately in 300ml of 50% acetone and placed on shaker in dark for 24 hours at room temperature. The results showed that in a dose dependent manner, methanol extract exhibit anti-proliferative effects whereas acetone extract revealed an inhibitory effect only at a higher dose 500 μg/ml. The clonogenicity of AGS cells was revealed to be significantly (p˂0.001) diminished where production of holoclone was reduced where cells treated with both extracts as compared to control group. AGS cells apoptosis levels were induced by both extracts when compared to control group. RT-PCR results depicted significant (p˂0.001) upregulation of both p21 and EGR1 when cells treated with both methanol and acetone extracts respectively, while both of NDRG1 and PTEN genes were upregulated when acetone extract was used, it’s worth mentioning, that these genes, p21, PTEN, and NDRG1 are considered to be tumor suppressors. In conclusion, borage, Borage officinals, extracts had anti-cancer and cytotoxic effects on AGS cell line and apoptosis was induced. Thus, this plant might be suggested as a future candidate for cancer treatment therapy.