In vitro anti-cancer efficacy and phyto-chemical screening of solvent extracts of Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth

Abstract

Background and objectives Kigelia africana is a medicinal plant growing naturally in many parts of Africa. In Kenya, a water concoction of the plant is used to treat breast and prostate cancers. Laboratory data on its anti-cancer activity and active principles is limited, hence no scientific rationale for its medicinal use. This study reports on in-vitro toxic activities of dichloromethane and methanol extracts of the plant against human breast cancer cells and phytochemical screening of the two extracts. Methodology Plant extracts were obtained by sequential solvent extraction of dry plant material (stem bark) using analytical grade dichloromethane: methanol (1:1) and methanol (Sigma Aldrich). In-vitro anti-cancer activities of the extracts were determined using the suphorhodamine (SRB) assay against a human breast cancer cell line (HCC 1937). Preliminary Thin layer chromatography of plant extracts was done using POLYGRAM® SIL G/UV 254 plates (Merck) to establish presence of different classes of secondary metabolites. Results In-vitro cytotoxic activities of the two extracts were significantly different ( P = 0.05). The methanol extract exhibited higher activity (IC 50 = 26.02 μg/ml) compared to that of dichloromethane: methanol (1:1) (IC 50 = 55.01 μg/ml). Phyto-chemical screening of the two extracts revealed the presence of terpenoids, phenols, steroids and flavonoids. Conclusion The high in-vitro anti-cancer activities of solvent extracts of Kigelia africana justify its use in traditional medicine to manage breast cancer. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts reveal similar profiles hence the differences in their anti-cancer activities can be attributed to quantitative variations of various classes of secondary metabolites.

Antiproliferative activity of standardized herbal phytopreparation from Asclepias subulata

“…A binary solvent system was used; solvent A (water with 0.1% formic acid); and solvent B (methanol with 0.1% formic acid) at a flow rate of 7 mL/min 4 . 3 , 9 The run was monitored at 30 min. The identification of the chromatographic peaks was performed using addition of compound isolated in the previous step.…”

Anticancer L-Asparaginase and Phytoactive Compounds From Plant Solanum nigrum Against MDR (Methicillindrug resistant) Staphylococcus aureus and Fungal Isolates

“…Synthetic drugs and antibiotics cure many microbial and viral infections caused by biofilm-forming bacteria and viruses, which is of main public health concern. 1,2 Allopathic medicines mostly tend to develop patentable compound “magic bullet,” which may evoke sensitivity and other allergic responses. Moreover, chemotherapeutic drugs to date also impose toxic effects on other non-target tissues.…”

“…Moreover, chemotherapeutic drugs to date also impose toxic effects on other non-target tissues. 2 In contrast, medicinal plants employed to heal the illness and restore equilibrium by converging on specific biomolecules and pathways. 2 These natural remedies have been developed overages through extensive experimentation.…”

“…2 In contrast, medicinal plants employed to heal the illness and restore equilibrium by converging on specific biomolecules and pathways. 2 These natural remedies have been developed overages through extensive experimentation. The frequent use of herbal extracts in local communities is due to their effective biological responses and cost-effectiveness.…”

Alcohol extracts of Chinese bayberry branch induce S‐phase arrest and apoptosis in HepG2 cells

“…Benth. (Wambua Mukavi et al, 2020 ), Diospyros kaki leaves (Ko et al, 2020 ), Licorice (Wang, Luo, et al, 2019 ), Phoenix dactylifera L. (Khan et al, 2017 ), germ and bran of red rice (Upanan et al, 2019 ), Coptis chinensis (Kim et al, 2021 ), and Juniperus communis Linn. (Huang et al, 2021 ), have been found to induce the apoptotic death of HepG2 cells via the exogenous, mitochondria‐mediated endogenous pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and ER signaling pathway.…”