Organic extracts from Cleome droserifolia exhibit effective caspase-dependent anticancer activity

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Cancer Biology

Background:

• Cleome droserifolia (CD), a medicinal herb from the Arabian Peninsula, possesses traditional uses for various ailments.
• CD is known for its rubefacient, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anticancer potential of Cleome droserifolia.
• To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of CD organic fractions on human cancer cell lines.

Main Methods:

• Organic fractions of CD aerial parts were tested against human breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines.
• Assays included MTT, caspase Glo, western blot, and annexin V/propidium iodide-based flow cytometry.
• Caspase activation and apoptosis induction were analyzed.

Main Results:

• The dichloromethane fraction of the methanolic extract (CDD) exhibited potent cytotoxic activity (70-90%) against tested cancer cell lines.
• CDD significantly activated caspases and induced cleavage of caspase 7 and PARP proteins in MCF-7 cells.
• Annexin V/propidium iodide assay confirmed CDD-induced apoptosis, which was reversed by a caspase inhibitor.

Conclusions:

• Cleome droserifolia contains bioactive molecules capable of inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis in human cancer cells.
• CD demonstrates significant anticancer potential and should be further explored for novel natural therapies.
• Further research is recommended for the isolation of specific anticancer compounds from CD.