Screening anti-tumor constituents from Potamogeton crispus for potential utilisation of constructed wetland plant resources

Abstract

Abstract:ABSTRACTPotamogeton crispus L. is a cosmopolitan aquatic macrophyte that has been deployed in constructed wetland as engineering species for ecological and purification functions. However, the extraordinary rapid vegetative growth of P. crispus requires that the species be harvested at the appropriate time to ensure the effectiveness of pollutant removal and minimise the risk of secondary pollution. The efficiency utilisation of wetland plant resources with a large amount of biomass is important in encouraging the harvest and sustainable self-support management of constructed wetlands. To screen the metabolites of P. crispus for tumor cell cytotoxicity, the total secondary metabolites of P. crispus were extracted and separated into three parts by using petroleum ether, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butyl alcohol. Thereafter, the cytotoxicity assay was conducted by using ES-2 human ovarian cancer and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines. Results indicated that the P. crispus EtOAc extract showed anti-tumor activities against MDA-MB-231 cells. Morphological observation, cell cycle, and death analysis were conducted to evaluate the cytotoxic activity. Results showed that the P. crispus EtOAc extract could change the cell morphology and block the MDA-MB-231 cell cycle at the S phase and that the mechanisms of cell death were apoptosis and necrosis. This study provides a scientific basis for the potential utilisation of the constructed wetland plant P. crispus and has implications for the management of sustainable constructed wetland operation.