Assessment of the Anticancer, Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Activities of the Peganum harmala L. Plant

Abstract

Introduction Synthetic chemical drug treatments have drawbacks including adverse effects and toxicity. Natural alternatives are sought after. Chemotherapy can be toxic. Medicinal plants offer a suggested alternative. This study examines P. harmala plant extracts for phenolic and flavonoid content, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Methods Two samples of P. harmala plant extract were prepared using ultrasonication, with ethanol concentrations of 100% and 50%. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using a chemical assay method. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated against gram-positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus) and gram-negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli) using the diffusion procedure. The antioxidant impact of the extracts was assessed using the DPPH procedure. P. harmala extracts showed inhibitory effects on MCF7 breast cancer and HT29 colon cancer cell lines. Results The results of the study indicated that the P. harmala plant extracts were rich in phenolic compounds (with total phenolic content of 215.8 ± 3.5 and 155.8 ± 2.9 mg gallic acid per g extract for 50% and 100% ethanol extracts, respectively) and flavonoids (with total flavonoids content of 112.1 ± 3.1 and 92.3 ± 1.8 mg catechin per g extract) and had a high rate of antioxidant activity. The 50% ethanol extract yielded 411.8 ± 3.5 μmol trolox/g, while the 100% ethanol extract yielded 312.9 ± 8.2 μmol trolox per g extract. P. harmala extracts exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, and Streptococcus. They also demonstrated strong anticancer activity, causing significant cell death in breast and colon cancer cell lines within 48 h of culturing. Conclusion P. harmala ethanolic extracts are rich in polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids, displaying high antioxidant activity. They also exhibit strong inhibitory effects against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and demonstrate potent anticancer activity against breast and colon cancer cell lines.