Chemical composition, antitumor and antioxidant effects of four lebanese plants extracts on human pulmonary adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Lung cancer leading cause of humans’ cancer-related death remains incurable with current drug therapies having many side-effects. Finding new natural cancer remedies would help design better therapies. This study aims to investigate the anticancer and antioxidant effects of the Levant endemic plants Prango sasperula, Stachys ehrenbergii, Hirtellina lobelia, and Salvia multicaulis on human pulmonary adenocarcinoma. GC/MS and NMR analyzed the bioactive compounds of methanolic extracts of these plants. Their antioxidant effect was measured by ABTS assay. The effect of these extracts on the viability of A549 (Human lung adenocarcinoma cell line) and NHBE (Normal Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells) was examined using MTT and Anchorage-Independent Colony Formation assays. Our findings show an interesting, specific cytotoxic effect of these plant extracts on A549 cells. Additionally, S. ehrenbergii and H. lobelii present a specific high alkylation potential. Data reveal an interesting antitumor potential attributed to their antiproliferative and alkylation actions towards human pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Salvia multicaulis
• prangos asperula
• hirtellina lobelii
• stachys ehrenbergii
• antioxidant activity
• alkylation
• cytotoxic effect

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by “Mohamad Cheaib” Foundation and the Higher Centre for Research at the Holy-Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Lebanon.