Research has shown that Rhazya stricta Decne, a medicinal plant native to the Arabian Peninsula, could potentially be used as a therapeutic agent in neurodegenerative diseases. The study, which was published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, evaluated whether plant extracts from R. stricta affects the spread and specialization of NTERA-2 (NT2) pluripotent embryonal carcinoma cells.

• Extracts were derived from the plant at different parts, namely, the stems, leaves, and the fruit. These were tested for cytotoxicity, cell differentiation, and cell expression, as well as phytochemical activity.
• The findings revealed that the chloroform stem extract from R. stricta led to the differentiation of NT2 cells at five micrograms per milliliter of the extract (μg/ml).
• As cell differentiation was induced, the body’s response to pluripotency marker genes Oct4 and Sox2 were effectively reduced – including the surface antigen pluripotency market TRA-1-60.
• The phytochemical analysis of the plant revealed the presence of alkaloids and saponins, as well as other compounds.

The findings of the study suggest that the chloroform stem extract of R. stricta can cause stem cells to be progressively specialized in earlier stages, which can attenuate certain neurodegenerative diseases.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

Journal Reference:

Alagrafi FS, Alawad AO, Abutaha NM, Nasr FA, Alhazzaa OA, Alharbi SN, Alkhrayef MN, Hammad M, Alhamdan ZA, Alenazi AD, et al. IN VITRO INDUCTION OF HUMAN EMBRYONAL CARCINOMA DIFFERENTIATION BY A CRUDE EXTRACT OF RHAZYA STRICTA. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 29 June 2017;17. (342). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1852-7