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The Antioxidant and Anti-proliferative Activity of the Lebanese Olea europaea Extract

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Abstract

It is becoming increasingly evident that certain phytochemicals possess cancer chemopreventive properties. In this study, the anti-proliferative activity of plant extracts from olive (Olea europaea L.) leaves was tested on human leukemic cell line (Jurkat). Cytotoxicity of various concentrations of plant extracts was examined and the IC50 was determined. Olive leaf extracts showed concentration-dependent anti-proliferative effect as determined by the WST-1 proliferation kit and [3H]-thymidine incorporation method. To study whether cell death was due to apoptosis, cells were stained with Annexin V-FITC and PI and the expression of important regulatory proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, and p53) involved in apoptosis were examined by Western blot. The antioxidant activity of olive leaves (SC50 = 0.1 mg dry weight) was studied using the DPPH scavenging method. Present findings suggest that olive leaves extracts exhibit anti-proliferative effect on leukemic cells by inducing apoptosis.

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Abbreviations

ALL:

acute lymphoblastic leukemia

IC50 :

inhibitory concentration where 50% of the cells die

OL:

Olea europaea

SC50 :

scavenging concentration where 50% of DPPH scavenged

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Mr. Michel Zakhem for his technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Balamand, Al-Koura, Tripoli, 100, Lebanon

    Rida Fares, Samer Bazzi & Roula M. Abdel-Massih

  2. Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

    Serine E. Baydoun

Authors
  1. Rida Fares
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  2. Samer Bazzi
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  3. Serine E. Baydoun
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  4. Roula M. Abdel-Massih
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Correspondence to Roula M. Abdel-Massih.

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Fares, R., Bazzi, S., Baydoun, S.E. et al. The Antioxidant and Anti-proliferative Activity of the Lebanese Olea europaea Extract. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 66, 58–63 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-011-0213-9

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