Libanotis transcaucasica Schischk Leaf and Seed Ethanolic and Methanolic Extracts: Cytotoxic Activity on MCF7 Cell Line and Antioxidant Properties

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran

2 MSc student of agricultural biotechnology, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran

3 Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Libanotis is an important genus of the Apiaceae family with many aromatic species. These plants are widely used in traditional medicine, but there is little information about their phytochemical compositions and biological activities. An ecotype of Libanotis transcaucasica Schischk, about which there is little phytochemical information, grows in the Hezar-Masjed Mountains of northeastern Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer activity and antioxidant properties of ethanolic and methanolic extracts from the leaves and seeds of this plant. Cytotoxic activity against MCF7 and HSkMC was determined by the MTT method, and the antioxidant properties of the extracts were evaluated by the DPPH and PFRAP methods. The results showed that the methanolic extract of seeds had the greatest effect on inhibiting the growth of cancer cells at 48 and 72 hours, with IC50 values of 54.35 and 50.52 μg/ml, respectively. Moreover, the methanolic extract of the seeds had the greatest effect on the degradation of DPPH free radicals with an IC50 value of 44.64 μg/ml, and this inhibitory effect was comparable to the effect of ascorbic acid. The antioxidant effect of iron reduction of the different extracts was significantly lower than that of ascorbic acid. However, among the extracts, the reducing power of the methanolic seed extract was better than the others. Considering that the methanolic seed extract had the most lethal effect on cancer cells, it seems that the extract that has stronger antioxidant power also has stronger anticancer properties.

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