In vitro anticancer potential of tree extracts from the Walloon Region forest

Forty-eight extracts from 16 common Belgian trees from the Walloon Region forest were evaluated for in vitro growth inhibitory activity against the human LoVo colon cancer, PC3 prostate cancer, and U373 glioblastoma cell lines. Our study was performed with the aim of selecting plant candidates in order to later isolate new anticancer compounds from an easily affordable tree material. Extracts from Alnus glutinosa (stem bark), Carpinus betulus (leaves and stem bark), Castanea sativa (stem bark), Fagus sylvatica (leaves), Ilex aquifolium (leaves), Larix decidua (leaves), Quercus petraea (stem bark), and Quercus robur (leaves) showed for the first time potent in vitro growth inhibitory activity and could become easily affordable sources of potential new anticancer agents. Root extracts from Robinia pseudoacacia, already known for containing cytotoxic lectins, also showed interesting activity.