Anticancer potential of Ferula assa-foetida and its constituents, a powerful plant for cancer therapy

Antitumor and Phytochemical Properties of Ferula assa-foetida L. Oleo-Gum-Resin against HT-29 Colorectal Cancer Cells In Vitro and in a Xenograft Mouse Model

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently occurring tumors. Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum-resin (OGR) extract is a traditional cooking spice known for its broad spectrum of biological activities such as antifungal, antiparasitic, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study evaluated the antitumor effect of OGR extract against HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. The OGR chemical composition was analyzed using LC-ESI-MS/MS; MTT, clonogenic assays, and a xenograft model were used to measure cytotoxicity, while apoptotic proteins were detected using Western blotting. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the extract was a rich source of isoflavones, xanthones, and other derivatives. In a dose-dependent manner, the OGR extract significantly inhibited colony formation ability and HT-29 cell growth (IC50 was 3.60 ± 0.02 and 10.5 ± 0.1 mg/mL, respectively). On the other hand, the OGR extract significantly induced apoptosis and increased the expression of some pro-death proteins involved in cellular apoptosis including PUMA, BIM, BIK, and BAK. Moreover, in a subcutaneous HT-29 xenograft model, the tumor volume and burden decreased after treatment with the OGR extract (550 ± 32 mm3 and 16.3 ± 3.6, respectively) This study demonstrated that Ferula assa-foetida OGR ethanolic extract has potential antitumor effects against HT-29 CRC cell lines by reducing cell viability and the function of apoptosis. More studies are needed to reveal the underlying mechanisms related to cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction.

In vitro cytotoxic investigation of some synthesized 1,6-disubstituted-1-azacoumarin derivatives as anticancer agents

Aims: In this study, novel synthesized 1,6-disubstituted-1-azacoumarin-3-carboxylic acid derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as potential anticancer agents. Materials & methods: The cytotoxicity of novel 1-azacoumarin-3-carboxylic acid derivatives was tested using an MTT assay. High potency was shown by DNA flow cytometry on MCF-7 cells for compound 3b. In addition, topoisomerase IIβ, caspase 3/7, Bax and Bcl-2 enzymes were used to study apoptotic activity. In the same studies, molecular docking analysis assessed activity. Results & conclusion: Cytotoxicity screening identified multiple bioactive compounds, especially compound 3b. Analysis of DNA flow cytometry revealed that compound 3b exhibited cell cycle arrest. Compound 3b had an increase in the expression of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase 3/7, and a decrease in topoisomerase IIβ enzyme inhibition.