EFFECTS OF PLANTS POLYPHENOLS ON MAMMALIAN CELLVIABILITY, PROLIFERATION AND DIFFERENTIATION.

MARÍA V. REPETTO; GRACIELA PIWIEN PILIPUK; SILVIA MORENO

Mar del PLATA

Congreso; Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Cientifica en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular (SAIB); 2007

SAIB

Experimental evidence suggests that most herbs and spices possess a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities. The objectives of our study were: first, to determine the effects of plant extracts on viability of normal cell and second to investigate their possible effects on cell proliferation and differentiation. The plant extracts examined were rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) andsage (Salvia officinalis L.). Isolated compounds such as rosmarinic acid, carnosol and carnosic acid, the main polyphenolics compounds that are strong dietary antioxidants, were also evaluated. The MTS test was used to determine cell viability. Our results indicated that no significantly changes in the viability of quiescent 3T3-L1 cells were observed. However, in proliferating cells there is a significantly reduction in cell viability that depends on the dose. The effect of plant compounds on cell differentiation was evaluated using the 3T3-L1 cell line as a model, since inducers and various transcription factors that trigger the differentiation programme are known like C/EBPs and PPAR gamma. We observed that rosemary compounds regulate the expression of C/EBPbeta, a key player for adipocyte differentiation. This approach will be valuable to bring inside into the understanding of the mammalian cell targets of phytopolyphenols.