Apoptosis-mediated cytotoxic effect of Caralluma adscendens var. attenuata on colon (HT29) and Hepatic (HepG2) cancer cell lines

Abstract

Introduction: Caralluma adscendens var. attenuata (Wight) Grav. and Mayur., a member of Apocynaceae, is a perennial stem succulent plant with wide distribution in tropics and subtropics of the world. This plant is reported for the presence of steroids, flavonoids, saponins, triterpenes, and pregnane glycosides, and is known to have antidiabetic and antiulcerogenic properties. Materials and Methods: In this study, an attempt was made to identify antioxidant capacity and cytotoxic potential of n-hexane and aqueous methanolic extracts of total stem part of C. adscendens var. attenuata . Antioxidant activity was evaluated by total phenolic content assay, total flavonoid content assay, free radical scavenging activity, and reducing ability methods. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and nuclear staining methods for colorectal cancer cell lines HT29 and liver cancer cell lines HepG2. Results: MTT assay method has proven that the IC50 value was 10 μg/mL for both extracts, whereas for cisplatin standard, it was 2 μg/mL. By nuclear staining, the apoptotic cells were identified as oval masses with dark cytoplasm and dense green nuclear chromatin fragments indicating the programmed cell death for both n-hexane and aqueous methanolic extracts at the same concentration (10μg/mL). Conclusion: However, aqueous methanolic extract showed prominent cytotoxic potential against both cancer cell lines.

New Pregnane Glycosides Isolated from Caralluma hexagona Lavranos as Inhibitors of α-Glucosidase, Pancreatic Lipase, and Advanced Glycation End Products Formation

“…has shown that most of these plant species could be possible sources of new active compounds. − In addition to other metabolites such as flavonoid glycosides, pregnane glycosides were reported to be the most characteristic constituents of this genus. Several recent studies highlight their importance as medicinal plants to fight against particular diabetes, obesity, gastrointestinal problems, and cancer. − For instance, the raw fresh young pieces of Caralluma hexagona (Syn; Monolluma hexagona, Caralluma shadhbana) are eaten as a cure for diabetes, abdominal pain, and stomach ulcers in traditional medicines in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. , …”