In vitro anticancer properties of selected Eucalyptus species

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Oncology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Pancreatic cancer survival rates remain low despite advancements in oncology.
• Eucalypts possess known cytotoxic and anticancer properties, but their specific role in pancreatic cancer treatment is underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the anticancer potential of aqueous and ethanolic extracts from four Eucalyptus species against pancreatic cancer cells.
• To investigate the mechanism of action, including apoptosis induction, of promising Eucalyptus extracts.

Main Methods:

• MTT and CCK-8 assays were used to assess cell viability and growth inhibition.
• Caspase 3/7 assay was employed to detect apoptosis in MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells.
• Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of four Eucalyptus species were tested.

Main Results:

• Aqueous Eucalyptus microcorys leaf and ethanolic E. microcorys fruit extracts demonstrated over 80% inhibition of pancreatic cancer cell growth at 100 μg/mL.
• E. microcorys and Eucalyptus saligna extracts exhibited lower GI50 values compared to Eucalyptus robusta extract in MIA PaCa-2 cells.
• Treatment with E. microcorys extracts induced caspase 3/7-mediated apoptosis and morphological changes in MIA PaCa-2 cells.

Conclusions:

• Eucalyptus microcorys exhibits significant potential as a source of phytochemicals effective against pancreatic cancer.
• The study highlights the need for further investigation into isolating and identifying active compounds for developing new pancreatic cancer chemotherapeutics.