Abstract:
Background: The use of conventional cancer medication is limited by
cytotoxicity on normal cells, intolerability of the drugs used and emergence
of aggressive tumors which do not respond to treatment. Herbal alternatives
are now being touted to be of promising efficacy. Fagaropsis angolensis (FA)
has wide ranging ethno medicinal uses in Kenya. However, the anticancer
potential of this plant is yet to be fully explored. The present study aims
to determine the antiproliferative activity of crude extracts of Fagaropsis
angolensis (FA) against African monkey kidney (Vero, E6), throat cancer
(Hep2) and colon cancer (CT 26-CL 25) cell lines. Methods: Water and
methanol extracts of FA were qualitatively screened to determine their
phytochemical composition. In vitro growth inhibition capacity of these
extracts on African monkey kidney (Vero, E6), throat cancer (HeP2) and
colon cancer (CT-26-CL-25) cell lines was then assessed using the 3-(4, 5-di-
methylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium assay and expressed as 50%
inhibitory concentration (IC50). Doxorubicin (standard anticancer agent) was
used for comparison. Results: On Vero cell lines, statistical differences
(p<0.05) were noted in the IC50 values of methanol whole root and metha-
nol root stem extracts of FA (5.80+/-0.80μg/ml) against 1.10+/-0.70μg/ml)
as well as between Doxorubicin and methanol root stem extracts of FA
(6.5+/-3.25 μg/ml against 1.10+/-0.70μg/ml). On colon cancer cell lines,
statistical differences (p<0.05) were noted between the IC50 values of
Doxorubicin and the methanol root stem extract of FA (19.00+/-9.00ug/ml
against 8.33+/-1.42μg/ml) as well as between Doxorubicin and methanol
whole root extract of FA (19.00+/-9.00μg/ml against 5.25+/-0.35μg/ml). The
effects of the extracts of FA on throat cancer cell lines were unremarkable.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that the choice of solvent may have
some effect on the IC50 values of the extracts on cancer cell lines. It may
also be suggested that the methanol root stem and whole root extracts
of FA may be sources of important lead molecules that may be useful in
the treatment of colon cancer. Conclusion: These findings suggest that
the methanol root stem and whole root extracts of FA may be sources of
important lead molecules in cancer therapy.
Key words: Fagaropsis angolensis, Kenya, Cancer, Doxorubicin.
