Abstract

Leptocarpha rivularis is an autochthonous plant of the southern zone of Chile known as "Palo negro" that has been traditionally used by Mapuche people as anti-inflammatory and reliever of abdominal pain. More recently, aqueous infusion of this plant is being used in the treatment of cancer. The main phytochemical components of L. rivularis have been identified as a sesquiterpene lactones (SQL) being leptocarpine (LTC) the major component, which exhibits pro-apoptotic action against a variety of cancer cells lines. In this study we intend to compare the in vitro cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines of two different polarity extracts and LTC. To overcome the poor water-solubility of extracts they have been encapsulated in polymer micelles and its effect on activity has been assessed. The results indicate that both extracts reduce cell viability of all cancer cell lines. The IC50 values obtained for ethyl acetate are in the range of 11-16 mu g/mL, and this activity is explained in terms of a synergic effect generated by SQL different to LTC. The IC50 values of extracts incorporated into polymer micelles formed by Pluronic F127 are 200 times lower than those measured for ethyl acetate extract applied in homogeneous solution. Finally, by assessing changes in cell and nuclear morphology it is suggested that the observed cytotoxicity of free and entrapped extracts is produced by apoptotic process. In conclusion, these results suggest that plant extracts may show an increased activity as result of synergic effect of minority components, and an important enhancement of cytotoxicity is induced by entrapment into polymer micelles.