Work

Investigating the anticancer role of Calotropis procera leaf extract: LC-MS profiling and evidence for apoptosis and ROS induction

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Aegle marmelos, Calotropis procera, Carica papaya, Morus alba, Tinospora cordifolia, and Trigonella foenum-graecum have been used for their antitumor properties. The present study aims to explore their anticancer activity in five cell lines viz. HeLa (cervical cancer), MCF-7 (breast cancer), T24 (urinary bladder carcinoma), SH-SY5Y (neuroblastoma), and LN229 (glioblastoma) to provide scientific evidence of their activity. Among the extracts, Calotropis procera methanol leaf extract (CPML) illustrated the best efficacy (IC 50 < 20 μg/mL) against all the cell lines except SH-SY5Y cells. CPML exhibited non-toxicity to HEK239T cells highlighting its specific anticancer activity. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry) were performed for initial characterization of the extract. The mechanism of anticancer activity of CPML was through apoptosis induction as illustrated by AO/EB dual staining, ROS generation, and RT-qPCR. CPML treatment induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and inhibited colony formation and cell migration. LC-MS based phytochemical analysis led to the identification of Calotropin, Digitoxigenin, phenanthroline, hinokiresinol, Rhamnetin, 3-Methoxy Luteolin, Carveol, Lupulon, Azicitidine, Guaiacol and hydroxy-beta-cyclocitral in the extract. Presence of these active constituents might be responsible for the observed anticancer activity of CMPL. The study demonstrates the promising anticancer activity of CPML against HeLa, MCF-7 and T24 cells. Further studies can be carried out to explore the anticancer activity of the identified compounds alone and in combination therapy.

Source: South African Journal of Botany

DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2025.09.033

Authors: Neha Sylvia Walter, Sahil Bhayana, Shalmoli Bhattacharyya

Institution: Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research

Language: English

Topic: Phytochemistry and Bioactive Compounds

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,750