Elucidating the potential of Annona muricata L. grown in Sri Lanka to be used in developing an anticancer drug against colorectal and breast cancers

Abstract Background Since ancient times many traditional medicine systems around the world have been using different parts of Annona muricata L. (AM), to treat cancer. Indeed, numerous in vitro and in vivo studies also have shown anticancer properties of different solvent extracts of different parts...

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Main Authors: Onela Canith Pathirana, Madhavi Priyanka Paranagama, Kavindra Kumara Wijesundera, Thilini Anupama Nanayakkarawasam Mahakapuge, Abeykoon Mudiyanselage Anuththara Upamali Abeykoon, Jayantha Rajapakse
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04712-x
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author Onela Canith Pathirana
Madhavi Priyanka Paranagama
Kavindra Kumara Wijesundera
Thilini Anupama Nanayakkarawasam Mahakapuge
Abeykoon Mudiyanselage Anuththara Upamali Abeykoon
Jayantha Rajapakse
author_facet Onela Canith Pathirana
Madhavi Priyanka Paranagama
Kavindra Kumara Wijesundera
Thilini Anupama Nanayakkarawasam Mahakapuge
Abeykoon Mudiyanselage Anuththara Upamali Abeykoon
Jayantha Rajapakse
author_sort Onela Canith Pathirana
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Since ancient times many traditional medicine systems around the world have been using different parts of Annona muricata L. (AM), to treat cancer. Indeed, numerous in vitro and in vivo studies also have shown anticancer properties of different solvent extracts of different parts of AM. Even the same part of the plant has shown different levels of anticancer properties based on geographical variations. Therefore, in the present study, the anticancer potential of the leaves, fruit pulp and the fruit peel of the AM that is grown in Sri Lanka was comparatively analyzed with the intention of identifying the most suitable part to be developed into a nutraceutical with anticancer effects. Methods Freeze-dried aqueous extracts of immature leaves (ILAM), mature leaves (MLAM), pulp (PAM) and peel (PLAM) of AM were analyzed for their antioxidant activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and 2,2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) cation decolorization assays. Their cytotoxicity on breast cancer (MCF-7) cells, colorectal adenocarcinoma (DLD-1) cells and normal human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) were determined by the 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay. Their effect on mRNA expression of proapoptotic (Bax and caspase-7) and cell cycle arresting (p21) genes was analyzed by RT- qPCR in the same cell lines. Results ILAM demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity in both DPPH and ABTS assays followed by MLAM, PLAM and PAM. In the MTT assay, both ILAM and MLAM demonstrated strong cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and DLD-1 cell lines while there were no cytotoxic effects on the normal human cell line HGF-1. Both ILAM and MLAM demonstrated concentration-dependent upregulation of mRNA expression of cell cycle arresting gene p21 and apoptosis inducing genes Bax and caspase-7 in MCF-7 and DLD-1 cells. Conclusion The AEAM leaves grown in Sri Lanka has significantly higher antioxidant activity as well as selective cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 and DLD-1 cancer cells compared to its PL and P counterparts. Further, the AEAM leaves induced mRNA expression of the anticancer genes p21, Bax and caspase-7, indicating its potential to be developed into an anticancer drug against breast and colorectal cancer.
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spelling doaj-art-da9ef6afb75345998acff986efdc9d5d2025-08-20T02:51:42ZengBMCBMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies2662-76712024-11-0124111610.1186/s12906-024-04712-xElucidating the potential of Annona muricata L. grown in Sri Lanka to be used in developing an anticancer drug against colorectal and breast cancersOnela Canith Pathirana0Madhavi Priyanka Paranagama1Kavindra Kumara Wijesundera2Thilini Anupama Nanayakkarawasam Mahakapuge3Abeykoon Mudiyanselage Anuththara Upamali Abeykoon4Jayantha Rajapakse5Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of PeradeniyaDepartment of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of PeradeniyaDepartment of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of PeradeniyaDepartment of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of PeradeniyaDepartment of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of PeradeniyaDepartment of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of PeradeniyaAbstract Background Since ancient times many traditional medicine systems around the world have been using different parts of Annona muricata L. (AM), to treat cancer. Indeed, numerous in vitro and in vivo studies also have shown anticancer properties of different solvent extracts of different parts of AM. Even the same part of the plant has shown different levels of anticancer properties based on geographical variations. Therefore, in the present study, the anticancer potential of the leaves, fruit pulp and the fruit peel of the AM that is grown in Sri Lanka was comparatively analyzed with the intention of identifying the most suitable part to be developed into a nutraceutical with anticancer effects. Methods Freeze-dried aqueous extracts of immature leaves (ILAM), mature leaves (MLAM), pulp (PAM) and peel (PLAM) of AM were analyzed for their antioxidant activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and 2,2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) cation decolorization assays. Their cytotoxicity on breast cancer (MCF-7) cells, colorectal adenocarcinoma (DLD-1) cells and normal human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) were determined by the 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay. Their effect on mRNA expression of proapoptotic (Bax and caspase-7) and cell cycle arresting (p21) genes was analyzed by RT- qPCR in the same cell lines. Results ILAM demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity in both DPPH and ABTS assays followed by MLAM, PLAM and PAM. In the MTT assay, both ILAM and MLAM demonstrated strong cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and DLD-1 cell lines while there were no cytotoxic effects on the normal human cell line HGF-1. Both ILAM and MLAM demonstrated concentration-dependent upregulation of mRNA expression of cell cycle arresting gene p21 and apoptosis inducing genes Bax and caspase-7 in MCF-7 and DLD-1 cells. Conclusion The AEAM leaves grown in Sri Lanka has significantly higher antioxidant activity as well as selective cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 and DLD-1 cancer cells compared to its PL and P counterparts. Further, the AEAM leaves induced mRNA expression of the anticancer genes p21, Bax and caspase-7, indicating its potential to be developed into an anticancer drug against breast and colorectal cancer.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04712-xAnnona muricata L.AnticancerAntioxidantCytotoxicGene expression
spellingShingle Onela Canith Pathirana
Madhavi Priyanka Paranagama
Kavindra Kumara Wijesundera
Thilini Anupama Nanayakkarawasam Mahakapuge
Abeykoon Mudiyanselage Anuththara Upamali Abeykoon
Jayantha Rajapakse
Elucidating the potential of Annona muricata L. grown in Sri Lanka to be used in developing an anticancer drug against colorectal and breast cancers
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Annona muricata L.
Anticancer
Antioxidant
Cytotoxic
Gene expression
title Elucidating the potential of Annona muricata L. grown in Sri Lanka to be used in developing an anticancer drug against colorectal and breast cancers
title_full Elucidating the potential of Annona muricata L. grown in Sri Lanka to be used in developing an anticancer drug against colorectal and breast cancers
title_fullStr Elucidating the potential of Annona muricata L. grown in Sri Lanka to be used in developing an anticancer drug against colorectal and breast cancers
title_full_unstemmed Elucidating the potential of Annona muricata L. grown in Sri Lanka to be used in developing an anticancer drug against colorectal and breast cancers
title_short Elucidating the potential of Annona muricata L. grown in Sri Lanka to be used in developing an anticancer drug against colorectal and breast cancers
title_sort elucidating the potential of annona muricata l grown in sri lanka to be used in developing an anticancer drug against colorectal and breast cancers
topic Annona muricata L.
Anticancer
Antioxidant
Cytotoxic
Gene expression
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04712-x
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