Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities of Euphorbia hyssopifolia L. against MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cell Line

Abstract

Euphorbia hyssopifolia L. is an annual herb producing toxic latex. To our knowledge, this study is the first one that focuses on accurately identifying the bioactive compounds in E. hyssopifolia and evaluating its antioxidant and anti-breast cancer activities. Phytochemical qualitative screening tests were performed. Total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) were determined by Folin Ciocalteu and Aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Bioactive compounds in E. hyssopifolia latex were identified by using GC-MS analysis. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS assays, and anticancer activity of latex against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line was studied using flow cytometry methods. Results revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, diterpenes, steroids, and cardiac glycosides in the plant, whereas saponins were absent. Latex outperformed methanolic 70% extract in terms of TPC and TFC (39.52 ± 0.36 mg GAE/g E and 28.66 ± 0.10 mg RE/g E, respectively). GC-MS analysis of E. hyssopifolia latex resulted in the identification of 26 compounds, of which triterpenoids constitute 67.0172%, followed by lupeol (23.7089%) and betulin (14.0098%). According to the reference studies, most of the compounds found in latex have many biological activities. Latex outperformed all extracts and ascorbic acid in terms of antioxidant activity (IC50= 0.029 mg/mL for DPPH, IC50= 0.001 mg/mL for ABTS). Flow cytometry methods revealed that E. hyssopifolia latex induced cell cycle arrest at G1 phase (61%) and apoptosis (21.93%) of MDA-MB-231 cells after treating with latex at 10 µg/mL for 24 hours. However, more studies should be performed to explore bioactive compounds in E. hyssopifolia and determine the underlying mechanism of its latex anti-breast cancer effects.