Evaluation of antitumoral and apoptotic potentials of masticadienonic acid and tirucallol from Pistacia vera L. stems

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in women, therefore it has become necessary to find more effective and less toxic drugs to minimize the disadvantages of existing chemotherapeutic agents. The potential anticancer properties of masticadienonic acid, tirucallol and pistachionic acid, which are secondary metabolites isolated from Pistacia vera, has not been reported to date against breast cancer cells. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess the antitumor effect of these metabolites and investigate their potential as an anticancer agent. The cytotoxic activity of the secondary metabolites was evaluated by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide analysis method, and the apoptotic activity in cells was evaluated by DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 enzyme expression by immunocytochemical analysis. Our results showed that masticadienonic acid and tricallol strongly reduced cell profileration of cancer cell lines. We found that these compounds induced apoptotic processes by enhancing caspase-3 expression and DNA fragmentation. These results suggest that it would be desirable to further investigate these compounds for their anti-breast cancer potential.

Keywords:

• Pistachio
• masticadienonic acid
• tirucallol
• apoptosis
• anti-breast cancer activity
• cytotoxicity

Author contributions

Isik Didem Karagoz took charge of designing the study and revising the paper. Lawali Yabo-Dambagi and Ahmet Çakır were responsible for plant sample collection, extraction and isolation procedures. Hatice Emlik and Basak Simitcioglu performed the experimental works. All authors agree to the final approval of the version to be published.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Gaziantep University, Turkey under Grant [FEF.YLT.20.11].