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Study of the antiproliferative potential of seed extracts from Northeastern Brazilian plants
Paulo Michel P Ferreira1, Davi F Farias, Martônio P Viana
1Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Campus Senador Helvídio Nunes de Barros, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Picos, Brasil. pmifepe@yahoo.com.br
Abstract:
This study assessed the antiproliferative and cytotoxic potential against tumor lines of ethanolic seed extracts of 21 plant species belonging to different families from Northeastern Brazil. In addition, some underlying mechanisms involved in this cytotoxicity were also investigated. Among the 21 extracts tested, the MTT assay after 72 h of incubation demonstrated that only the ethanolic extract obtained from Myracrodruon urundeuva seeds (EEMUS), which has steroids, alkaloids and phenols, showed in vitro cytotoxic activity against human cancer cells, being 2-fold more active on leukemia HL-60 line [IC(50) value of 12.5 (9.5-16.7) μg/mL] than on glioblastoma SF-295 [IC(50) of 25.1 (17.3-36.3) μg/mL] and Sarcoma 180 cells [IC(50) of 38.1 (33.5-43.4) μg/mL]. After 72h exposure, flow cytometric and morphological analyses of HL-60-treated cells showed that EEMUS caused decrease in cell number, volume and viability as well as internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in a dose-dependent way, suggesting that the EEMUS triggers apoptotic pathways of cell death.
Insights
Ethanolic seed extracts from Myracrodruon urundeuva demonstrated significant in vitro cytotoxic activity against human cancer cells. This extract induces apoptosis in leukemia cells, suggesting potential for novel cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Natural products are a rich source of anticancer agents.
- Investigating plant-derived compounds for cytotoxic potential is crucial for drug discovery.
- Northeastern Brazil harbors diverse plant species with potential medicinal properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of ethanolic seed extracts from 21 Brazilian plant species against various human tumor cell lines.
- To investigate the mechanisms underlying the observed cytotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 21 ethanolic seed extracts using the MTT assay against leukemia (HL-60), glioblastoma (SF-295), and sarcoma (180) cell lines.
- Cytotoxicity was assessed after 72 hours of incubation.
- Flow cytometry and morphological analyses were performed on treated HL-60 cells to elucidate mechanisms of cell death.
Main Results:
- The ethanolic extract of Myracrodruon urundeuva seeds (EEMUS) exhibited significant in vitro cytotoxic activity.
- EEMUS was most potent against leukemia HL-60 cells (IC50 = 12.5 μg/mL), followed by glioblastoma SF-295 (IC50 = 25.1 μg/mL) and Sarcoma 180 (IC50 = 38.1 μg/mL).
- EEMUS induced a dose-dependent decrease in cell number, volume, and viability, along with internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in HL-60 cells, indicative of apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Myracrodruon urundeuva seed extract possesses notable cytotoxic properties against human cancer cell lines.
- The extract appears to induce cell death through apoptotic pathways.
- Further research into EEMUS constituents and mechanisms is warranted for potential therapeutic development.
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