Evaluating the therapeutic potential of amygdalin: Cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties

Leukemia is an incurable disease; it exhibits strong resistance to chemotherapy and other therapies, and it represents the most common childhood cancer and mortality. The cytotoxic of amygdalin (AMG) against the cell line of human monocytic leukemia (THP-1) was recorded, before determining other pharmacological effects. The cells were exposed to AMG for 24 hr at 37°C at different concentrations, the cytotoxic effect was determined via the MTT assay. The cells and the supernatant were collected for analyzing the oxidant/antioxidant status, apoptotic markers, and anti-microbial activity. Results showed a marked anti-proliferative cytotoxic effect of AMG which is concentration and time-dependent, the lipid peroxidation content was significantly decreased while the total thiol was increased in the treated cell line, significant up-regulation of Caspase-3 (Cas-3) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) and down-regulation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Furthermore, The bacterial activity was detected via Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), and Disc Diffusion assays, while the antifungal evaluation was done by the Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC). Antimicrobial experiments revealed that AMG exerted potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects toward a diversity of dangerously infecting pathogens. In conclusion; the prevailing research suggests that AMG is an effective anticarcinogenic and antimicrobial substance. The utilization of AMG subsequently in masks or wound dressings to prevent bacterial & fungal infections, including mucormycosis following COVID-19, as well as infections caused by penicillium and aspergillus, is a highly effective strategy in combating resistant microorganisms.