Anticancer Activity of Ethyl Acetate/Water Fraction from Tanacetum vulgare L. Leaf and Flower Extract

The present paper aims to assess the antitumor activity of ethyl acetate/water soluble fraction obtained from the extract of Tanacetum vulgare L. leaves and flowers (EATV). The chemical composition of EATV was determined by LC-HPMS. In vitro studies were performed on the HT-29 cell line (human colorectal carcinoma). The effect on the cell cycle and the pro-apoptotic activity were evaluated using flow cytometry analyses. Genotoxicity was analyzed by the comet assay. In vivo antitumor potential of EATV was assessed in Ehrlich's tumor-bearing mice. Pathological, histological, and hematological analyses of the EATV-treated animals were performed, and the effect of the treatment on the lifespan was evaluated. The LC-HRMS analysis demonstrated a complex phytochemical profile of EATV comprising more than forty compounds, thirty-six of which were identified. The results showed that the antitumor activity of EATV towards HT-29 cells is due to a pronounced genotoxicity leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of the cells. Pathological studies revealed more massive and frequently detected tumor necrosis, apoptosis, and fistulation in T. vulgare-treated mice compared to positive tumor-bearing controls. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the intraperitoneal application of EATV prolonged the animal's lifespan.