Evaluation of cytotoxic activity of Falcaria vulgaris on cancerous MCF-7, SW-872 and normal HFFF cell lines

Abstract

Introduction: Falcaria vulgaris (Apiaceae) grows in different parts of Iran. It is variously used as wound healing, gastric disorders and liver diseases which is attributed to the presence of Cumarins and Flavonoids. Furthermore, mentioned compounds in Apiaceae family possess cytotoxic activity. Scope: The present study concern the cytotoxic activity and apoptosis inducing of F. vulgaris different extracts and essential oil of aerial parts on cancerous and normal cell lines and determination of volatile content of all samples. Materials and Methods: EO and different extracts of aerial parts of F. vulgaris were prepared using Celevenger and Soxhelet apparatus respectively. The cytotoxicity of samples was assessed by MTT assay, also; Flow cytometry annexin V/PI assay used for detection the mechanism of cell death in sample treated cell lines. Finlay; volatile content of EO and potent cytotoxic non-polar extracts analyzed by GC-MS. Results: Results indicated that DCM extract and its 60% VLC fraction exhibited significant (p<0.0001) inhibitory effect on the gorwth of MCF-7 cell line. On the other hand; n-Hexan extract showed considerable (p<0.0001) cytotoxic effect on SW-872 cell line and its 40% VLC fraction induced maximum apoptotic percent on this cell line. The major volatile compounds of n-hexan extract, DCM extract and essential oil was Tetradecane (17.64%), Heptadecatriynoic acid methyl ester (44.5%) and Spathulenol (33.8%) ; respectively. Conclusion: This study provides the evidence that in vitro cytotoxic activity of DCM 60% VLC fraction and n-hex 40% VLC fraction from F. vulgaris were found dose-dependently and time dependently inhibit the proliferation of Breast cancer and Liposarcoma cells via an apoptosis-dependent pathway due to presence of effective compounds such as Heptadecatriynoic acid, Phytol and Caryophyllene oxide. Thus possibly suggesting as a natural resource for future bio-guided isolation of potential antitumor agents.