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Epidemiologic studies keep up the proposition that Allium vegetables can lower the risk of cancers. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells exhibit high proliferative potency and have a reduced capacity of undergoing apoptosis and maturation. The beneficial effects of Allium seem related to the organosulfur products generated upon processing of these species. For this purpose, the aim of this study was to test Allium roseum fresh (FAE), crude (CAE) and dried (DAE) aqueous extracts for activity against the human acute leukemia cell line (U937). As assessed by flow cytometry, inhibited cell proliferation was in a dose‐dependent manner. Firstly, study showed that cell growth was inhibited with 20 mg/mL using FAE and CAE (60% and 73% respectively). Secondly, our experiments clearly indicate that all A. roseum extracts do not induce cell apoptosis. This was confirmed by the soft binding of Annexin V to phosphatidylserine. Finally, the high expression of macrophage's marker CD11 associated with adequate morphological changes proves clearly the differentiation aspect produced by A. roseum extract. Taken together, these data suggest that A. roseum could be a promising candidate for the alternative medicine in the field of cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ContextThe present study deals with new biological properties of the wild edibleDiplotaxis simplex(Viv.) Spreng (Brassicaceae). ObjectivesThe current study evaluates the antioxidant, the anti-inflammatory and the anti-cancer properties of ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts fromD. simplexflowers. Materials and methodsThe anti-proliferative activity of the extracts (10–70 μg/mL) was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) against human colon cancer cell line Caco-2. The anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated by the inhibitory effect of the extracts (1.5–7.5 mg/mL) on phospholipase A2 activity as well as on carrageenan-induced paw oedema in mice. Extracts (200 mg/kg) or indomethacin (50 mg/kg) as positive control were injected intraperitoneally for albino mice prior to the induction of the oedema by carrageenan. Antioxidant activities were investigated using various complementary methods. ResultsFlower extracts contained a high level of polyphenolics (17.10–52.70 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (74.20–100.60 mg QE/g), which correlate with its appreciable antioxidant potential in β-carotene peroxidation (IC50value: 12.50–27.10 μg/mL), DPPH•radical-scavenging (IC50value: 0.20–0.40 mg/mL), Fe3+ reducing (EC50value: 0.10–0.14 mg/mL) and Fe2+ chelating (IC50value: 0.20–0.60 mg/mL) assays. These extracts were effective in inhibiting cancer cell growth (IC50value: 62.0–63.25 μg/mL). Besides, the ethyl acetate extract inhibited phospholipase A2 activity (IC50value: 2.97 mg/mL) and reduced the paw oedema in mice (from 0.38 ± 0.01 to 0.24 ± 0.01 cm), 4 h post-carrageenan challenge. ConclusionThese data suggest thatD. simplexmay be useful as a candidate in the treatment of inflammation and the colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]