Phytochemical investigation, antioxidant and anticancer activities of various Unani drugs

To analyze the phytochemicals, antioxidant, and anticancer activities on MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line using aqueous, hydro-ethanol, and methanol extracts of different Unani drugs, e.g., Halela Siyah, Aftimoon, Bisfayej, Ustukhudoos, and Kutki.

The qualitative examination (alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, and saponins), anticancer activity, and an antioxidant assay of the three different extracts were done by MTT assay and DPPH assay, respectively, using different Unani drugs.

The qualitative examination confirmed the substantive presence of phytochemical constituents in all the extracts of these drugs. The Methanolic extract of Halela Siyah had the highest DPPH scavenging activity (91%), while Bisfayej had the lowest (58%). Similarly, the hydro-ethanolic extract showed approximately identical activity for Halela Siyah (89%), Aftimoon (88%), Bisfayej (84%), Kutki (82%), and Ustukhudoos (81%). The aqueous extracts of Halela Siyah (88%) had the highest DPPH scavenging activity, whereas Bisfayej (73%) had the lowest. The methanolic extract of Aftimoon demonstrated the greatest anticancer activity (IC₅₀ - 108), while Aftimoon showed the least activity (IC₅₀ - 316). Halela Siyah (IC₅₀ - 175) and Aftimoon (IC₅₀ - 178) showed substantially the same activity in aqueous extracts. Ustukhudoos hydro-ethanol extracts had the highest (IC₅₀ - 130) activity, whereas Aftimoon had the lowest (IC₅₀ - 204).

In conclusion, our findings evaluated the presence of phytochemicals, good antioxidant activity, and anticancer activity in different extracts of drugs used in this study. The study shows these drugs have potential anticancer activity against breast cancer in MCF-7 cell lines.