Apoptosis Induction by Cestrum parqui L'Hér. leaves on HL-60 Cell Line: Identification of Active Phytomolecules

Background: In our time, there is an urgent need to discover natural anticancer products without toxic side’s effects. Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the anticancer activity of the methanolic extract of Cestrum parqui leaves as well as identification of the active compounds in this concern. Materials and Methods: Eight column chromatographic fractions were tested against human leukaemia cell line (HL- 60) and the cell viability was measured by dimethylthiazol tetrazolium assay. Studies of apoptosis, cell cycle and DNA fragmentation were carried out following the standard protocol. Effective fractions were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography-ultra violet, HPLC-evaporative light scattering detector and preparative-HPLC. Finally the active compounds were identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Results: Out of eight, fraction II showed remarkable inhibition on the growth of HL-60 cell line and fraction I showed moderate activity on such inhibition. Mechanisms of the inhibition were identified as cell cycle arrestation and apoptosis induction by the said fractions. Chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis of the fraction II indicated the presence of oleanolic and ursolic acids as biologically active compounds. Conclusion: This study is the first investigation that shows Cestrum parqui has anticancer activity and the responsible compounds are oleanolic and ursolic acids which may be used for chemotherapy of certain cancer in future after extensive work in this line