Potential Antiproliferative Activity and Evaluation of Essential Oil Composition of the Aerial Parts of Tamarix aphylla (L.) H.Karst.: A Wild Grown Medicinal Plant in Jordan.

N Alhourani,V Kasabri,Y Bustanji,M Hudaib,R Abbassi

doi:10.1155/2018/9363868

N Alhourani, V Kasabri + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9363868

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Abstract

Essential (volatile) oil from aerial parts of Tamarix aphylla (L.) H.Karst. (Tamaricaceae) grown wild in Jordan was hydrodistilled by Clevenger apparatus and analyzed by means of GC and GC-MS techniques. In vitro screening of potential cytotoxicity of the aqueous (AE) and ethanol (EE) extracts was also evaluated against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2), and pancreatic carcinoma (Panc-1) cancer cell lines as well as normal human fibroblasts. GC-MS analysis of T. aphylla EO revealed its richness in nonterpenoid nonaromatic hydrocarbons (52.39%), with predominance of 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone as the principal component. Biologically, the plant extracts exhibited cytotoxicity effects in dose-dependent manner against most of the tested cell lines, but potent effects were only predicted against MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 2.17 ± 0.10 and 26.65 ± 3.09 μg/mL for T. aphylla AE and EE, respectively. T. aphylla AE demonstrated a comparable cytotoxic effect with that offered by the control drug cisplatin (IC50 value of 1.17 ± 0.13 μg/mL), even with higher safety profile against normal fibroblast cells (IC50 values of T. aphylla AE versus cisplatin: 79.99 ± 4.90 versus 9.08 ± 0.29 μg/mL). T. aphylla extracts could be a valuable source for cytotoxic agents with high safety and selective cytotoxicity profiles. Unfortunately, no antiproliferative potential against Caco-2 or Panc-1 cancer cell lines was detected at a concentration less than 30 μg/mL.

Highlights

Jordan’s flora is rich in a wide variety of medicinal plants and is widely utilized by Jordanians for health maintenance
Minor fractions of terpenoids were only detected in the ethanol extract, while coumarins were presented in both extracts
The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of T. aphylla essential oil (EO) resulted in the identification of 33 components predominated mainly by 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone as the principal component (32.39%) and β-ionone (13.74%) and dodecanoic acid (6.00%) as major ones

Summary

Introduction

Jordan’s flora is rich in a wide variety of medicinal plants and is widely utilized by Jordanians for health maintenance. Despite the fact that many of the widely grown plants in Jordan have been screened for their antiproliferative activities [2], many others either are under current investigation or are still unevaluated. Tamarix aphylla (L.), which is known as ‘Tamarisk’ or ‘Athel’ in Jordan, is an evergreen tree with tiny, triangular, and scale-like leaves. It grows in dense groves and it flourishes in high alkalinity-salinity soils. Earlier investigations on the effects of T. aphylla on biological systems had revealed its insect growth inhibitory activity due to presence of ellagic acid [9]. In Saudi Arabia, alcohol extract from leaves of T. aphylla was shown to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities.

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