Abstract
Background/Aim: Plants play an important role in anti-cancer drug discovery, therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the biological activity of Alpinia zerumbet (A. zerumbet) flowers. Methods: The phytochemical and biological criteria of A. zerumbet were in vitro investigated as well as in mouse xenograft model. Results: A. zerumbet extracts, specially CH2Cl2 and MeOH extracts, exhibited the highest potent anti-tumor activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells. The most active CH2Cl2 extract was subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation leading to isolatation of the naturally occurring 5,6-dehydrokawain (DK) which was characterized by IR, MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. A. zerumbet extracts, specially MeOH and CH2Cl2 extracts, exhibited significant inhibitory activity towards tumor volume (TV). Furthermore, A. zerumbet extracts declined the high level of malonaldehyde (MDA) as well as elevated the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in liver tissue homogenate. Moreover, DK showed anti-proliferative action on different human cancer cell lines. The recorded IC50 values against breast carcinoma (MCF-7), liver carcinoma (Hep-G2) and larynx carcinoma cells (HEP-2) were 3.08, 6.8, and 8.7 µg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings open the door for further investigations in order to explore the potential medicinal properties of A. zerumbet.
Highlights
Cancer is a complex group of diseases that is characterized by a rapid and uncontrolled formation of abnormal cells, which may collect together to form a tumor
As part of the current ongoing research efforts, we wanted to exploit the opportunity of finding a new potential anti-cancer entity using the unique set of Egyptian medicinal plants that are traditionally used by the Bedouins of the Sinai desert. These plants have not been chemically investigated and are known to have biological activities, which maximizes the chance of providing novel molecular structures with promising cytotoxic and anti-oxidant effects. In this particular study we focused on investigating the chemical components of the active fractions of A. zerumbet flowers
The present study revealed that A. zerumbet extracts possessed significant suppression effect against solid tumor volume
Summary
Cancer is a complex group of diseases that is characterized by a rapid and uncontrolled formation of abnormal cells, which may collect together to form a tumor. The development of cancer occurs through a multistage process and driven by endogenous and environmental factors [1,2,3,4]. Oxidative stress causes damage to the DNA molecule, modifies signaling pathways, and regulates progression of various types of cancers [6]. Cancer initiation and progression has been combined to oxidative stress through increasing DNA mutations and damage, breakage of genome structure, and induction of cell proliferation [7]. Due to the drawbacks of chemotherapeutic treatment [8], medicinal plants and venoms play important roles in anti-cancer drug discovery [9,10,11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
