Antiproliferative Activities of Methanolic Extract and Fractions of Tetrapleura Tetraptera Fruit

Abstract

Most of the current cancer chemotherapeutics are associated with harsh and undesirable side effects, including toxicity and chemoresistance, driving the need for safer and more effective alternatives. In this study, the antiproliferative activities of the methanolic extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruits and nine different fractions (C1–C9) from the column chromatographic separation of the extract against leukemia (Jurkat) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines were investigated using a tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay. Phytochemical screening of the extract and fractions found alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids in the methanolic extract. Most of the fractions exhibited antiproliferative activity (>100 μg/mL) with the Jurkat cells being more susceptible than the MCF-7 cells. Four of the collected fractions C4, C3, C5, and C2 had good selective indices in decreasing order of activity, in the case of Jurkat cells. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of all samples (except for C4 and C9) revealed that C1, C2, C3, and C5 each had a single component. More importantly, fractions C2, C3, and C5, which were selective to Jurkat cells, also had the same retention time of 1.846 min. Fractions C6 and C8 had two components, with C7 having four components. This study serves as a basis for further work to isolate and characterize potential anticancer agents from the fractions of extracts of T. tetraptera fruits.

Cytotoxicity, acute and sub-chronic toxicities of the fruit extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schumm. & Thonn.) Taub. (Fabaceae)

“…Furthermore, the methanol crude extract of TTF fruits and four of its isolated constituents had antiproliferative activity towards drug-susceptible and multidrug-resistant cancer lines, with IC 50 values for the crude extract and the most active compound (olean-12en-3-β-O-D -glucopyranoside) ranging from 10.27 μg/mL (in CCRF-CEM leukemia cells) and 23.61 μg/mL (against HCT116 p53 −/− colon adenocarcinoma cells) and from 4.76 μM (against CCRF-CEM cells) to 12.92 μM (against HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells) [21]. The cytotoxicity of botanicals from this plant was also reported against Jurkat leukemia cells and MCF-7 breast cancer cells [22]. The hydro-ethanolic extract of TTF had lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic activity, justifying its use in the management of obesity and type 2 diabetes [23].…”

“…In an earlier reported study, TTF induced apoptosis in CCRF-CEM cells, mediated by the alteration of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CCRF-CEM cells, whilst one of its constituents, olean-12-en-3-β-O-D -glucopyranoside also induced apoptosis mediated by caspases activation, MMP alteration and increased ROS production [46]. TTF was also cytotoxic towards MCF-7 cells and Jurkat cells with IC 50 values of 380.12 μg/mL and 340.47 μg/mL, respectively [22]. These data are weaker than those obtained in the present work, probably showing that dichlomethane-methanol might be the best extractive solvent for the cytotoxic components of the plant.…”

Nutritive value, biological properties, health benefits and applications of Tetrapleura tetraptera: An updated comprehensive review

“…Chemotherapeutic substances that have been involved in the management and treatment of cancer have been developed from medicinal plants [ 10 ] since recent cancer therapeutics have unbearable side effects like hair loss, toxicity, and chemo-resistance [ 10 , 40 ]. The effects of cancer drugs have called for less toxic and more effective ways of managing cancer [ 40 ]. As a medicinal plant, T. tetraptera has been reported to be cytotoxic to carcinoma cells and reduce tumor burden [ 10 ].…”

Evaluation of cytotoxic effect of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Mimosaceae) pod, root and stem bark extracts on AU565 breast cancer cells

“…Using MTT assay on AU 565 cells, T. tetraptera root extract showed exceptional cytotoxicity, with IC50 of 39.71±2.24 μg/mL. Though the pod and stem bark showed reduced inhibitions against the cell line, they have been reported to have promising cytotoxic properties against tumors and other cancer cell lines [30][31][32]. It's entirely conceivable for a substance to have effect on one type of cancer but not on others.…”

“…tetraptera pod extract reportedly showed antitumor action and improved the life duration of mice by reducing ascites fluid volume and tumor burden [30]. The antiproliferative activity of the pod methanol extract against Jurkat cells and MCF-7 cells has also been cited [31], furthermore it has been examined against BT 549, BT 20, and T 549 cancer cell lines, where it showed promising cytotoxic activity [32].…”