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Planta Med 2012; 78(14): 1601-1606
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1315043
Biological Screening
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Evaluation of the Cytotoxic Activity of Some Brazilian Medicinal Plants

Sandra S. Ribeiro
1   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Aline M. de Jesus
1   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Charlene S. dos Anjos
1   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Thanany B. da Silva
1   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Alan D. C. Santos
1   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Jemmyson R. de Jesus
1   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Moacir S. Andrade
1   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Tais S. Sampaio
1   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Wesley F. Gomes
1   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Péricles B. Alves
1   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Adriana A. Carvalho
2   Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, School of Medicine, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
,
Claudia Pessoa
2   Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, School of Medicine, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
,
Manoel O. de Moraes
2   Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, School of Medicine, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
,
Maria L. B. Pinheiro
3   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
,
Ana Paula N. Prata
4   Department of Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Arie F. Blank
5   Department of Agronomic Engineering, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Renata Silva-Mann
5   Department of Agronomic Engineering, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Valeria R. S. Moraes
1   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Emmanoel V. Costa
1   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Paulo Cesar L. Nogueira
1   Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Daniel P. Bezerra
6   Department of Physiology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 16 May 2012
revised 19 June 2012

accepted 20 June 2012

Publication Date:
18 July 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Plants are promising sources of new bioactive compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic potential of nine plants found in Brazil. The species studied were: Annona pickelii Diels (Annonaceae), Annona salzmannii A. DC. (Annonaceae), Guatteria blepharophylla Mart. (Annonaceae), Guatteria hispida (R. E. Fr.) Erkens & Maas (Annonaceae), Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Apocynaceae), Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae), Kielmeyera rugosa Choisy (Clusiaceae), Lippia gracilis Schauer (Verbenaceae), and Hyptis calida Mart. Ex Benth (Lamiaceae). Different types of extractions from several parts of plants resulted in 43 extracts. Their cytotoxicity was tested against HCT-8 (colon carcinoma), MDA-MB-435 (melanoma), SF-295 (glioblastoma), and HL-60 (promielocitic leukemia) human tumor cell lines, using the thiazolyl blue test (MTT) assay. The active extracts were those obtained from G. blepharophylla, G. hispida, J. curcas, K. rugosa, and L. gracilis. In addition, seven compounds isolated from the active extracts were tested; among them, β-pinene found in G. hispida and one coumarin isolated from K. rugora showed weak cytotoxic activity. In summary, this manuscript contributes to the understanding of the potentialities of Brazilian plants as sources of new anticancer drugs.

Key words

cytotoxicity - Guatteria blepharophylla - Guatteria hispida - Jatropha curcas - Kielmeyera rugosa - Lippia gracilis - extracts - essential oil

Supporting Information

 

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