Comparative in-vitro anticancer and brine shrimp cytotoxic activities of Mezoneuron benthamianum Baill.

Abstract

Background: Cancer is one of the leading causes of global mortality and recently, it has been established that there is a link between periodontal disease and various types of cancer. In Nigeria, chewing sticks are used especially in the rural areas to maintain oral hygiene and to prevent periodontal disease. Mezoneuron benthamianum is a plant that is used locally as a chewing stick in the southwest of Nigeria, but there has been no report on its anticancer properties.

Aim: This study is aimed at determining the anticancer activity using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay and brine shrimp cytotoxic activity of the extracts of M. benthamianum.

Setting: The roots of M. benthamianum were obtained from Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, and were identified and authenticated at the University of Ibadan Herbarium.

Methods: The plant sample was subsequently dried, pulverised and extracted with hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol to give the different extracts which were tested against four cell lines (Lung A549, Lung NCI-H322, Breast T47D and Prostate PC-3) using the SRB assay and were also evaluated against brine shrimp nauplii.

Results: The results of the study showed that the different extracts of M. benthamianum had selective and consistent cytotoxic activity against the Lung (A549), Lung (NCI-H322) and Breast (T47D) cell lines, having a percentage growth inhibition ranging from 36% to 63%. The hexane and dichloromethane extracts also gave LC₅₀ values of 99.96 and 29.29 against brine shrimp cytotoxic activity.

Conclusion: These results justify the use of M. benthamianum in folkloric medicine.