Free radical scavenging activity of cymbopogon citratus (stapf) and evaluation of its antiproliferative effect on MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells

Background and objectives

In the etiology of a large number of metabolic disorders, free radicals are involved in the first line, in particular in the physiopathology of cancers. This interventional study aimed to evaluate in vitro the DPPH radical scavenging activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of Cymbopogon citratus (HAECC) and its antiproliferative activity in human osteosarcoma.

Methods

The antiproliferative activity of HAECC was assessed in vitro in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells. Normal rabbit fibroblasts were used to evaluate the biocompatibility of a plant extract. Cell viability was assessed by the 3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test (MTT test). The antiradical activity of HAECC was also evaluated in vitro with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Moreover, total flavonoid content of HAECC was quantified by the aluminum chloride colorimetric method.

Results

At low concentrations, the HAECC had high antiradical activity (p < 0.001), although it was lower than that of the ascorbic acid standard. HAECC (final concentration of 125 and 250 µg/mL) compared with the vehicle (DMSO 1%) did not affect normal fibroblast viability (p > 0.05) but significantly inhibited the proliferation of MG-63 tumor cells (p < 0.5) inducing a delay in tumor growth without complete suppression. HAECC had more pronounced cytotoxic activity on MG-63 cancer cells (p < 0.05) than on normal cells (p > 0.05). The HAECC had a high total flavonoid content of 4.127333 ± 0.205 mg quercetin equivalent/100 mg extract.

Conclusions

At low concentrations (125 and 250 µg/mL), the HAECC had high antiradical activity (62.35 ± 2.28% and 73.86 ± 2.00%, respectively, but was lower than that of a 1:10 dilution of the ascorbic acid standard. In addition, these low concentrations of HAECC had significant cytotoxic activity for up to 48 h of exposure in MG-63 cancer cells but not normal cells. These observed effects could be due to the presence of high content of total flavonoids present in the HEACC (4.127333 ± 0.205 mg EQ/100 mg extract). HAECC would possess active antiproliferative compounds like flavonoids which could exert antiradical activity on normal cells and synergistic cytotoxic effects on cancer cells’ line. Further biochemical investigations are necessary to determine the anticancer mechanism of extract as well in vitro and in vivo.

Full text

https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2835-3315/CSP-2023-00009

The study was recently published in the Cancer Screening and Prevention.

Cancer Screening and Prevention (CSP) publishes high-quality research and review articles related to cancer screening and prevention. It aims to provide a platform for studies that develop innovative and creative strategies and precise models for screening, early detection, and prevention of various cancers. Studies on the integration of precision cancer prevention multiomics where cancer screening, early detection and prevention regimens can precisely reflect the risk of cancer from dissected genomic and environmental parameters are particularly welcome.

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