Antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing properties of selected medicinal plants of Assam, India

Abstract

Background and Aim: Ethnomedicine is a common practice of disease treatment among tribal communities of India. The present study investigated the antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities of seven medicinal plants traditionally used by the Bodo tribe of Assam. Materials and Methods: The phytochemical and antioxidant activities of plants were investigated following standard protocols. Antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities were evaluated in Dalton's lymphoma (DL) cells. Plant extract-treated cells were stained with acridine orange/ethidium bromide solutions to see the antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing properties of plants. Results: The study showed high phenolic and flavonoid contents in all the plants. Phlogacanthus tubiflorus displayed the strongest antioxidant activity. Plant extracts showed concentration-dependent antiproliferative activity. Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides showed the strongest antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities. DL cells treated with plant extracts displayed apoptotic features. Furthermore, docking study revealed 2-methyl-5-(1-adamantyl) pentan the best binding affinity with anti-apoptotic proteins. Conclusion: The present study revealed potential antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing properties in H. sibthorpioides. However, further study needs to be carried out to investigate bioactive compounds responsible for their pharmacological properties.