Planta Med 2013; 79 - PA13
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1351917

In vitro cytotoxic activity of Derris scandens stem extracts against lung cancer cells and their anti-oxidant and anti-microbial effects

A Itharat 1, N Prommee 1, O Prajuabjinda 1
  • 1Department of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Klongluang, Pathumthani,12120, Thailand

Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth (DS), as Tao-Wan-Priang is popularly used in Thai traditional medicine as expectorant, antitussive and cancer cure [1]. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to investigate the cytotoxic activity of DS extracts against three types of lung cancer cell lines, such as human large cell lung carcinoma cell line (COR-L23), human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) and human lung squamous carcinoma cell line (NCI-H226), and comparison with activity on normal lung cells, i.e. human lung myofibroblast cell line (MRC-5) by SRB assay[2]. Antioxidant activity by DPPH assay and anti-microbial activity were also tested [3,4]. The results showed that 95% and 50% ethanolic extracts exhibited cytotoxic activity against three lung cancer cell lines COR-L23, A549 and NCI-H226. The 95% ethanolic extract was the most active against COR-L23 (IC50= 25.20 ± 3.33 µg/ml). In addition, the 50% ethanolic extract was the most active against A549 and NCI-H226 (IC50= 6.98 ± 3.45, 18.50 ± 0.92 µg/ml, respectively). In contrast, the water extract showed low cytotoxic activity against the three types of lung cancer cell lines. All three extracts showed low anti-oxidant activity in the DPPH assay with EC50 values of 41.32 ± 3.73, 61.91 ± 0.81 and > 100 µg/ml, respectively, while BHT as a positive control exhibited an EC50 value of 10.66 ± 0.97 µg/ml. The 95% ethanolic extract showed higher anti-microbial activity against B. subtilis than against S. aureus (MIC = 20 and 40 µg/ml, respectively). The 50% ethanolic extract showed as the same effects.

References:

[1] Kuptniratsaikul V et al. (2011) Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 17(2): 147 – 153.

[2] Skehan P et al. (1990) Journal of National Cancer Institute 82: 1107 – 1112.

[3] Yamazaki K et al. (1994) Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 1663 – 1665.

[4] Lorian V. (1996) Antibiotics in Laboratory Medicine, 3 rd Ed. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore.