Assessment of free radical scavenging and anti-proliferative effects of Atriplex halimus extract on MCF-7 cells

Abstract

Background: Many people use medicinal plants in traditional medicine due to their diverse bioactive chemical content. Atriplex halimus is a saltbush widely used in traditional medicine, making it a strong candidate for further pharmacological research. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the antiproliferative and free radical-scavenging effects of an alcoholic extract of Atriplex halimus leaves.

Methods: Using the DPPH and ABTS⁺ assays, we verified the antioxidant activity of the alcohol extract. Cytotoxic activity of the extract against breast cancer cells (MCF-7) was further evaluated using MTT assay after 24 and 48 hours of exposure, against doxorubicin drug as positive control. Data were statistically analyzed and presented as the mean ± standard deviation of three independent replicates.

Results: GC MS analysis of the alcoholic extract revealed a wide range of 54 bioactive compounds, the most abundant of which were scoparone (RT = 22.75, 8.72%).

DPPH assay results showed that the alcoholic extract possessed a clear concentration-dependent antioxidant capacity, with the highest TEAC activity at medium concentrations (20-40 µg/ml). The results of the ABTS⁺ analysis also recorded high averages that were close to ideal, as the concentration of 160 µg/ml gave an average of 93.1% and 98.0% at 320 µg/ml.

Conclusion: The ethanolic extract demonstrated high free radical scavenging activity and dose- and duration-dependent toxic effects against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Its antioxidant and antiproliferative properties are enhanced by the presence of active compounds such as phenolics and flavonoids, and it is a promising natural candidate for the production of a low-toxic adjuvant or alternative drug.