# Tessaria absinthioides (Hook. & Arn.) DC. Determines Inhibition of Tumor Growth and Metastasis In Vitro and In Vivo in Murine Melanoma

## TL;DR

This study shows that Tessaria absinthioides, a traditional plant, can inhibit melanoma tumor growth and metastasis in both lab and animal models.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the anti-melanoma effects of Tessaria absinthioides in both in vitro and in vivo settings.

## Key findings

- DETa induced cytotoxicity and reduced clonogenic survival in melanoma cells.
- DETa inhibited adhesion, migration, and invasion of metastatic melanoma cells.
- DETa showed systemic anti-tumoral and anti-metastatic effects in mice.

## Abstract

Melanoma is one of the deathliest cancers worldwide and its incidence is reaching epidemic proportions. It is characterized by intrinsic chemo-resistance, low response rates to treatment and high metastatic potential. Because of this, new therapeutic options are permanently required. Tessaria absinthioides (Hook. & Arn.) DC. is a traditional medicinal plant, with antioxidant, selective cytotoxicity and anti-colorectal cancer evidence-based properties. This study aims to demonstrate the antitumoral and antimetastatic effects of T. absinthioides decoction (DETa), correlating in vitro and in vivo activities in a murine melanoma model. DETa was assayed on B16F0 murine non-metastatic cells to determine cytotoxicity and clonogenicity; while, in the B16F10 metastatic siblings, adhesion, wound healing migration and Boyden chamber invasion were studied. The ex vivo intestinal-sac model was used to quantify DETa bioavailability. Meanwhile, in C57BL6/wt mice, DETa was orally administered to evaluate its antitumoral and antimetastatic activities. DETa induced cytotoxicity in a dose- and time-dependent manner, affecting the long-term clonogenic survival, as well as the processes of adhesion and migration. Then, the intestinal absorption of DETa phenolics was proven, while the systemic anti-tumoral and anti-metastatic activities of DETa were confirmed. Results demonstrated that DETa has antimelanoma activity promoting this botanical compound as a relevant agent for cancer research and treatment.