Extract of Tagetes Erecta Could Be Used as a Potential Drug Candidate Against Cancer: A Study on the Anticancer Efficacy of Medicinal Plants Involving in Vitro and in Vivo Approach

Abstract

Globally, the burden of cancer is increasing consistently. Modern cancer therapies include lots of toxicity in the non-targeted organs reducing the life expectancy of the patients. Therefore, the development of safer alternative medicines with less toxicity and high efficacy is of immense importance. The present study was designed to evaluate the anticancer activity of a medicinal plant, “Tagetes erecta” (TE), in established cancer cell lines in vitro and in animal models in vivo. GC-MS analysis was performed that revealed hexadecanoic acid, Linolenic acid, Quinic acid, 2,3- dihydrobenzofuran (Coumaran), and β-stigmasterol as major bioactive compounds in TE leaves. Aqueous extract of Tagetes erecta (AETE) treatment potentially reduced the tumor weight (TW) and tumor volume (TV) and increased the life span in EAC-induced tumor-bearing Swiss albino mice. Side effect analysis confirmed the lack of toxicity of AETE to non-targeted organs in normal Swiss albino mice. Studies in cancer cell lines indicated dose and time-dependent cytotoxicity in Human laryngeal carcinoma (HEp-2) and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells. Flow cytometric analysis established significant induction of apoptosis in EAC cells without arresting the cell cycle. In addition, AETE treatment led to a significant increase in cells with depolarised mitochondrial membrane potential. The present study indicated that AETE potentially inhibits tumor progression without disturbing normal body physiology. Thus, we conclude that AETE can be used as a potential therapeutic agent against cancer.