Anticancer activity of Aristolochia ringens Vahl. (Aristolochiaceae)

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Natural Products Chemistry
• Oncology

Background:

• Cancer remains a major global health challenge, driving the search for novel, well-tolerated anticancer agents.
• Plant-derived compounds are a promising source for discovering new anticancer drugs.
• Aristolochia ringens Vahl. (Aristolochiaceae) is a plant traditionally used, prompting investigation into its medicinal properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the anticancer activity of Aristolochia ringens root extracts.
• To assess the efficacy of specific extracts (AR-A001 and AR-A004) in vitro and in vivo cancer models.

Main Methods:

• In vitro cytotoxicity was assessed using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay against multiple human cancer cell lines (A549, HCT-116, PC3, THP-1, A431, HeLa).
• In vivo anticancer activity was investigated using sarcoma-180 (S-180) ascites and solid tumor models, and the L1210 lymphoid leukemia model.
• Standard chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was used as a positive control for in vivo studies.

Main Results:

• AR-A001 and AR-A004 exhibited significant in vitro anticancer activity, with notable potency against PC3 cells (IC50 values of 3 µg/mL and 12 µg/mL, respectively).
• Both extracts demonstrated significant dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth in the S-180 ascites model (79.51% for AR-A001, 89.98% for AR-A004 at 120 mg/kg).
• In vivo studies showed substantial tumor growth inhibition in the S-180 solid tumor model and significant increases in mean survival time (MST) in the leukemia model, comparable to 5-FU.

Conclusions:

• The ethanolic (AR-A001) and dichloromethane:methanol (AR-A004) root extracts of Aristolochia ringens possess significant anticancer properties.
• These findings support the potential of Aristolochia ringens root extracts as a source for developing novel anticancer therapeutics.
• Further research into the active compounds and mechanisms of action is warranted.