In vitro cytotoxic potential of extracts from Aristolochia foetida Kunth against MCF-7 and bMECs cell lines

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of Aristolochia foetida Kunth. Stems and leaves of A. foetida Kunth (Aristolochiaceae) have never been investigated pharmacologically. Recent studies of species of the Aristolochiaceae family found significant cytotoxic activities. Hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were analyzed by 1 H NMR and GC–MS to know the metabolites in each extract. In GC–MS analysis, the main compounds were methyl hexadecanoate ( 3 ); hexadecanoic acid ( 4 ); 2-butoxyethyl dodecanoate ( 9 ); ethyl hexadecanoate ( 20 ); methyl octadeca-9,12,15-trienoate ( 28 ) and (9 Z ,12 Z ,15 Z )-octadeca-9,12,15-trienoic acid ( 40 ). The results showed a significant reduction in cell viability of the MCF-7 (breast cancer) cell line caused by organic extracts in a dose-dependent manner. The cytotoxicity activity of the dichloromethane extract from the stems (DSE) showed IC 50 values of 45.9 μg/mL and the dichloromethane extract of the leaves (DLE) showed IC 50 values of 47.3 μg/mL. DSE and DLE had the highest cytotoxic potential in an in vitro study against the MCF-7 cell line and non-tumor cells obtained from the bovine mammary epithelial (bMECs). DSE and DLE induced a loss in mitochondrial membrane potential ( ΔΨm ) and can cause cell death by apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway in the MCF-7 cell line. DSE and DLE are cytotoxic in cancer cells and cause late apoptosis. Higher concentrations of DSE and DLE are required to induce a cytotoxic effect in healthy mammary epithelial cells. This is the first report of the dichloromethane extract of A. foetida Kunth that induces late apoptosis in MCF-7 cancer cells and may be a candidate for pharmacological study against breast cancer.

Natural Products for Cancer Therapy: A Review of Their Mechanism of Actions and Toxicity in the Past Decade

“…A. baetica contains a group of derivatives from aristolochic acids. Other than these derivatives include alkaloids, anthraquinones, phenolic compounds, steroids, and terpenes [38].…”

Biological Activities of Organic Extracts of the Genus Aristolochia: A Review from 2005 to 2021

“…The compounds implicated in this beneficial activity are attributed to linoleic acid chloride, oleic acid, and limonene-6-ol, pivalate [23]. The possible mechanisms of cytotoxicity of the compounds characterized in the HXE and DCME could be related to the cleavage of the plasma membrane and the release of its content into the extracellular medium [24]. A. longa L. exhibited an in vitro cytotoxic effect of HXE of the root on RD cells (IC 50 = 0.0151 mg/mL) showing a relationship of its activity to flavonoids (76.41 ± 8.74 mg GAE/g), while the HXE the cytotoxicity in healthy PBMC (human peripheral blood mononuclear) cells was lower (IC 50 = 0.0625 mg/mL) [25].…”

“…Components in the extracts can cause late apoptotic cell death through the intrinsic pathway in the cancer cell line. The main compounds identified were methyl hexadecanoate; hexadecanoic acid; 2-butoxyethyl dodecanoate; ethyl hexadecanoate; methyl octadeca-9,12,15-trienoate; and (9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadeca-9,12,15-trienoic acid that allow cytotoxic activity [24].…”

Potensi Sitotoksik Akar Kedayan (Aristolochia foveolata Merr.) pada Sel Telur Tripneustes gratilla Terfertilisasi

“…(Aristolochiaceae) demonstrated cytotoxic potential on MCF-7 cells and non-tumor cells obtained from bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMECs) with an IC 50 value of 45.9 mcg/mL. In healthy epithelial cells, cytotoxic effects were seen at higher doses (8) .…”