Chemopreventive and Anticancer Activities of Bacopa monnieri Extracted from Artificial Digestive Juices

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell (water hyssop) from the Scrophulariaceae family represents one of the best known plants of the Ayurveda system, with reported procognitive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anticonvulsant activity. It is considered to be a central nervous system modulating agent. However, recent studies have indicated its potential use in cancer prevention and treatment. Here we report the findings from a study of the effects of B. monnieri extracts derived from artificial digestive juices on physiological traits of prostate cancer cells (DU 145), such as viability and migratory activity. The safety profile and chemopreventive potential of B. monnieri extracts were investigated in Vibrio harveyi mutagenicity assays. Additionally, in this study for the first time the content of phenolic compounds and bacosides released from B. monnieri biomass to artificial digestive juices was determined. The investigated extracts were cytotoxic to DU 145; however, in non-cytotoxic concentrations, they significantly reduced cancer cell motility, thereby demonstrated anti-invasive activity. All extracts under study exhibited very strong antimutagenic activity against nitroquinoline- N-oxide. Bacoside A and phenolic acids were determined, but qualitative and quantitative differences between extracts were found.