In vitro cytotoxicity of allelopathic plants Adonis vernalis L. Origanum vulgare ssp. vulgare L. and Nepeta nuda subsp. nuda

Abstract

Medicinal plants produce various secondary metabolites as a part of their chemical defence and survival in nature. These compounds have a wide range of biological activities. Nowadays, medicinal plants are used as source of allelochemicals and new effective anticancer agents. Our previous studies revealed allelopathic potential of water extracts of Adonis vernalis L. (Ranunculaceae), Origanum vulgare ssp. vulgare L. and Nepeta nuda subsp. nuda (Lamiaceae). Present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the same extracts in vitro on human hepatoma cell line SK-HEP-1. Cell proliferation/viability was assessed using Premixed WST-1 Cell Proliferation Reagent.Adonis water extract (1.83mg/ml) had notable negative influence on cancer cell line tested. Oregano (3.5 mg/ml) also exerted negative effect, but to a lesser degree. On the contrary, nepeta water extract (6.59 mg/ml) had an opposite effect, stimulating cell proliferation. One possible explanation could be the type of extraction: after treatment with nepeta methanol extract (6.59 mg/ml) cell viability was significantly reduced.In conclusion, Adonis vernalis and Nepeta nuda subsp. nuda possess metabolites with growth inhibitory effect on human hepatoma cell line SK-HEP-1. Further research is needed to clarify biological activity of lower concentrations which are appropriate to enable the design of new anticancer drugs.

Cytotoxicity against A549 Human Lung Cancer Cell Line via the Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and Nuclear Condensation Effects of Nepeta paulsenii Briq., a Perennial Herb

“…Treatment with the aqueous extract of the stem showed the marked inhibition of cell viability, whereas the aqueous extract of the flowers showed a mild cytotoxicity effect, as shown in Figure 4 , and the cells exhibited clear marks of cytotoxicity caused by affected cellular morphology. The testing of water extracts from medicinal plants is uncommon in the scientific community; however, there are reports on the water extracts of various Nepeta species that have been tested for their biological potential [ 4 , 75 , 82 ], and the results remain comparable with the other types of extracts.…”