Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn. induces Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Opening and Cytochrome C Release

• A. O. Olowofolahan

• B. L. Omosola

• I. O. Ige

• F. B. Musa

The role of mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) pore in cell death is a known event and strategy in drug development for the management and therapy of tumors and cancers. Some medicinal plants exhibit anticancer activity by inducing mPT pore opening. Chenopodium ambrosioides is a medicinal plant used folklorically for inflammatory conditions and infections. Nevertheless, its effect on mPT pore is yet to be verified. Therefore, this study explored the influence of the methanol extract of Chenopodium ambrosioides and its fractions on mPT pore. Methanol extract of Chenopodium ambrosioides (MECA) was fractionated successively to procure chloroform (CFCA), ethylacetate (EFCA) and methanol (MFCA) fractions. Isolated mitochondria from male albino rat liver were exposed to varying concentrations of the extract and fractions. The mPT pore, cytochrome c release (CCR), mitochondrial ATPase (mATPase) and mitochondrial lipid peroxidation (mLPO) were determined using spectrophotometry. The MECA, CFCA, EFCA and MFCA effected mPT pore opening in the order; CFCA (18.8 folds), followed by MECA (9.0), EFCA (5.8) and MFCA (3.0). The CFCA enhanced mATPase activity, caused CCR and inhibited mLPO. The findings above suggest that CFCA is the most effective and likely accommodates phytochemicals that promote mitochondrial-dependent cell death. The fraction will therefore be subjected to further studies to explore the nature of the substance(s) responsible for this pharmacological potential.

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