European Journal of Integrative Medicine | 2019
Ficus deltoidea: Effects of solvent polarity on antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities in breast and colon cancer cells
Abstract
Abstract Introduction Ficus deltoiea (FD) is traditionally used to treat hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and diabetes. Limited studies are available on their anti-proliferative effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activities of the hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water extracts of three varieties of FD and to evaluate their anti-proliferative effects on breast and colon cancer cells. Methods The plant extracts were analysed for polyphenolic and flavonoid content. Antioxidant activities were determined using DPPH, ABTS and O2·− radical scavenging assays, FRAP, Fe2+ chelating, and cellular antioxidant assays. The anti-proliferative activity and apoptotic effects of the extracts was analysed using breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB 231, HCC 1937) and colon cancer (HCT 116) cell lines. Gene expression analysis of selected extracts was investigated against HCT 116 cells. Results Methanol was the best solvent for extraction of antioxidants and had the highest polyphenolic content (70–100\u2009mg GAE/g), FRAP (6.0–9.0\u2009mmol Fe2+/g), ABTS (2.0–3.0\u2009mmol TE/g) and DPPH (EC50:200-410\u2009μg/mL) activities. The ethyl acetate extracts of FD variety A (FDA-EA) and B (FDB-EA) demonstrated anti-proliferative activities in MCF-7, MDA-MB 231, and HCT 116 (IC50 Conclusion FD especially FDA-EA is a promising source of antioxidants and anti-proliferative agents, especially against colon cancer.