Apoptosis induction in dld-1 colorectal cancer cells with extracts of Rumex crispus

Rumex crispus (R. crispus) has been used as an ethnobotanical source of pharmacological agents for millennia (Babulka, 2004). Renewed interest in the plant as a source of antineoplastic and cancer fighting potential provides a rich source for scientific exploration. Previous research has shown, that many potential biochemical compounds exist which can induce an apoptotic response in DLD-1 cells from extracts of R. crispus. (Osuji, 2007; Shiwani, et al., 2012). In this study, DLD-1 cancer cells were cultured and exposed to 0.1% Triton X-100 extracts of the roots and leaves of the R. crispus plant and the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separated extracts of the plant. Cell viability was quantified using the Celltiter 96RTM Non-radioactive Cell Proliferation Assay (Promega Corp., Madison, WI, USA), and an apoptotic response quantified using Apo-ONERTM Homogeneous Caspase-3/7 Assay (Promega Corp., Madison, WI, USA). The separated phytochemical compounds were analyzed using MALDITOF Mass Spectrometry and GC-MS Mass spectrometry. Results of experiments performed substantiates that there are significant phytochemical components in R. crispus which produce a robust cellular response of induced apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. Isolation of compounds of masses 118 m/z, and 237 m/z show promise for future identification and testing.