Screening for Selective Anticancer Activity of 65 Extracts of Plants Collected in Western Andalusia, Spain

Abstract

Finding cytotoxic drugs with a high selectivity towards cancer cells is crucial to improve the low survival rates of patients diagnosed with metastatic cancers. Since plants are an important source of anticancer drugs, we have screened 65 extracts from 45 plants collected in several areas of Western Andalusia (Spain) for cytotoxic activity on lung cancer cells versus lung normal cells. An extract from the leaves of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. (Cupressaceae) showed a marked cytotoxicity (IC50 = 0.37 ± 0.03 μg/mL) and selectivity (selectivity index = 378.3) against the lung cancer cells; cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and an extract from the leaves of Taxus baccata L. (Taxaceae) were less cytotoxic and selective. Extracts from Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold (Apocynaceae), Frangula alnus Mill. (Rhamnaceae), Iberis ciliata subsp. contracta (Pers.) Moreno (Brassicaceae), Juniperus macrocarpa Sm (Cupressaceae), and Pancratium maritimum L. (Amaryllidaceae) also showed selective cytotoxicity (selectivity index > 10). Active extracts were also tested against a panel of cancer cell lines from a variety tissues. The plants identified in this work are potential sources of natural compounds with selective toxicity towards cancer cells.

Extracts of Common Vegetables Inhibit the Growth of Ovary Cancer Cells

“…Black tea and its components were also reported to be cytotoxic for ovary cancer cells [ 50 , 51 ]. Yew leaves extract was reported to be cytotoxic for cancer cells [ 52 , 53 ].…”

Tetraclinis articulata (vahl) masters: An insight into its ethnobotany, phytochemistry, toxicity, biocide and therapeutic merits

“…They reported that the ethyl acetate fraction was the richest in total flavonoids 93.1 mg/g, compared to 21.2 mg/g in the crude aqueous extract, and ascribed the effects to certain flavonoids, such as flavonols (catechin, and epi catechin). To seek cytotoxic agents with high selectivity towards cancer cells to counteract metastatic cancers, Calderón-Montaño et al (2021) screened 65 extracts prepared from 45 plants growing in Spain for their cytotoxic capacity against normal lung cells (MRC-5) and lung cancer cells (A549). They reported that T. articulata leaves ethanol/ethyl acetate/water (1:1:1) extract exhibited the highest activity against A549 cells (IC 50 = 0.37 ± 0.03 μg/ml); Meanwhile, displaying less toxicity towards lung normal cells IC 50 = 129.5 ± 64.0 μg/ml, (high selectivity).…”

“…Different parts of the plant have been reportedly prepared in the form of decoction, infusion, fumigation, and paste and applied topically or orally to treat diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diarrhea, rheumatism, intestinal, respiratory, and skin diseases ( Kachmar et al, 2021 ; Idm’hand et al, 2020 ; Amel, 2013 ; Buhagiar et al, 2000 ). Recent studies have lent credence to several ethnomedicinal applications of T. articulata including, antioxidant ( Djouahri et al, 2016 ), antimicrobial ( Bahri et al, 2015 ), anti-inflammatory ( Rached et al, 2018 ), neuroprotective ( El Jemli et al, 2016 ; Sadiki et al, 2018b ), vasorelaxant ( Zidane et al, 2014 ), and anticancer properties ( Calderón-Montaño et al, 2021 ). They also identified a wide range of bioactive compounds belonging to phenolic acids, flavonoids and their derivatives, fatty acids, terpenes, and phytosterols ( Djouahri et al, 2014 ; Bahri et al, 2015 ; Rached et al, 2018 ).…”

Essential Oils and Extracts of Juniperus macrocarpa Sm. and Juniperus oxycedrus L.: Comparative Phytochemical Composition and Anti-Proliferative and Antioxidant Activities

“…Several Juniperus species were found to be able to exert anti-proliferative activity, and different extracts were investigated. The cytotoxic activity of J. macrocarpa against the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line was confirmed by Calderón-Montaño et al [38], who found IC 50 values of 3.7 and 146.1 mg/mL for ethanol/ethyl acetate/water extracts of the aerial parts and monosperma cones, respectively. Recently, Lai et al [39] demonstrated that J. communis fruit extract exerted promising cytotoxicity activity against colorectal cancer cells with IC 50 values of 54.32 and 27.3 µg/mL for HT-29 and CT-26 after 72 h of exposure, respectively.…”