Polyphenols are compounds that act as antioxidants and display anti-carcinogenic properties. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are compounds resulting from incomplete combustion and exposure to them can lead to harmful repercussions since they are carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic. Since polyphenols and PAHs have opposite effects in human health, their intake is critical in determining the benefit of their combined effects. A previous study tested six peruvian teas for effectiveness in decreasing the cell viability of HeLa cells and found Hierba Santa in teas displaying positive results. Further research was conducted on Hierba Santa extracts to observe their effects on HeLa cells via MTT and cytotoxicity assays, and analyze their chemical composition using the GC/MS. Extractions were generated through soxhlet extractions in dichloromethane, water and ethanol/acetone (1:1) solvents, and liquid/liquid extractions with chloroform, ethyl acetate (90mL), sodium bicarbonate and brine to remove impurities. MTT assays showed that the Hierba Santa dichloromethane and water extracts decreased the cell viability of HeLa cells at the 5, 10, and 20 µL concentrations. The observed cytotoxicity assay results demonstrated that at all three Hierba Santa extracts exhibited an increase in membrane toxicity at the 5, 10, and 20 µL concentrations. Different programs on the GC/MS identified polyphenol derivatives and PAHs within the herbal extracts. Identified PAHs include: naphthalene, benz(a)anthr, benz(b)fluor, benz(k)fluor, and benz(a)pyre. Hierba Santa extracts were subject to fractionation via flash column chromatography where the mobile phase consisted of hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. Six fractions were generated per extract and speed vacuumed in preparation for MTT and cytotoxicity assays. We are currently conducting MTT and cytotoxicity assays on the fractions. In the future, we plan to further analyze the chemical composition of the fractions via the GC/MS.

Fractionation of Hierba Santa extracts via flash column chromatography and their effects on HeLa cells

2019 Spring National Meeting

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