Anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of extract and fractions of Rhipsalis neves-armondii (Cactaceae) aerial parts

Abstract

Rhipsalis neves-armondii K. Schum. (Cactaceae) aerial parts preparation is used traditionally in southern Nigerian for the treatment of rheumatic disorders and cancer and so the aim of this study was to evaluate these folkloric claims. Carragenaan-induced pedal edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma were the anti-inflammatory models employed, while the antiploliferative study was performed using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide] assay method on Pancreatic tumor (PANC-1) and Henrietta Lacks’ cervical (HeLa) cell lines. The dried pulverized Rhipsalis aerial parts were extracted with methanol to obtain Rhipsalis neves-armondii extract (RNE). The RNE was fractionated using chromatographic techniques to obtain the hexane fraction (HF) and ethylacetate fraction (EF). Also acute toxicity and phytochemical studies were performed using standard procedures. Results showed that the extract and fractions significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the development of rat pedal edema. The EF (400 mg/kg) exhibited the highest percentage edema inhibition of 53.33% after 3 h, compared to 36.67% of indomethacin. Also the extract and fractions significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed granuloma formation in rats, with HF showing the highest percentage suppression of 59.4% compared to the control. The RNE exhibited potent cytotoxic effect against PANC-1 and HeLa cells with an estimated IC₅₀ value of 30.12 and 45.1 μg/ml, respectively, and showed an LD₅₀ greater than 5,000 mg/kg. The findings showed that the extract and fractions of Rhipsalis neves-armondii (Cactaceae) possess anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects.

Keywords:

• Rhipsalis neves-armondii
• anti-inflammatory
• anticancer
• cotton pellet granuloma
• carragenaan

Public Interest Statement

The use of medicinal plants in disease management is as old as man. In both developed and developing nations, extracts and preparations from medicinal plants are being used in the folkloric treatment of cancer and other diseases. Medicinal plants often serve as a reservoir for plants secondary metabolites with potent pharmacological effects from which novel compounds have been and could still be isolated and characterized for drug development and research. Several standard anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents in clinical use have their origin from plants. In chemotherapy, some naturally isolated phytoconstituents used in cancer treatment such as the taxanes, vinca alkaloids, and podophyllotoxins have their origin from plants. In Nigerian ethnomedicine, the aerial preparation of Rhipsalis neves-armondii (Cactaceae) is used in the treatment of cancer and rheumatic diseases. This study has scientifically proven the folkloric use through in vivo and in vitro models of inflammation and cancer.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interest.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interest.

Acknowledgment

The authors appreciate the Department of Molecular & Medical Virology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany, for granting us the access to perform the cytotoxicity studies in their laboratory. Gratitude also goes to Mr. Alfred Ozioko of the International Centre for Ethno-medicine and Drug Development (InterCEDD), Nsukka, Nigeria for identification of the plant.

Authors contributions

Theophine Chinwuba Akunne, Peter A. Akah and IfeomaA. Nwabunike designed the work, participated in the experiment and write up; Chukwuemeka S. Nworu performed the cytotoxic experiment during his stay in Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany, while Emeka K. Okereke, Nelson C. Okereke and Francis C. Okekecontributed in performing the experiment.

Additional information

Funding

Funding. The authors received no direct funding for this research.

Notes on contributors

Theophine Chinwuba Akunne

Theophine Chinwuba Akunne, PhD, is a senior lecturer and researcher in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Akunne obtained doctoral degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology, with bias in Natural Products Pharmacology. Akunne’s research interest lies in the isolation of phytoconstituents or bioactive compounds with potent anticonvulsant, anticancer, and anti-diabetic effects. Medicinal plants have been the mainstay of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapy in both developed and developing nations. Reduced side effects and possibility of isolation and characterization of novel compounds with clinical potentials have made natural product pharmacology very interesting, especially in the area of new drug development and research. In this study, the aerial parts of Rhipsalis nerves-armondii showed anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties, thus buttressing its use in folkloric medicine.