Ethnobotanical survey and cytotoxicity testing of plants of South-western Nigeria used to treat cancer, with isolation of cytotoxic constituents from Cajanus cajan Millsp. leaves

摘要: Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance There is only scant literature on the anticancer components of medicinal plants from Nigeria, yet traditional healers in area under study claim to have been managing disease their patients with some success using species studied. Aim To document commonly used treat cancer South-western Nigeria and test scientific basis claims vitro cytotoxicity tests. Methods Structured questionnaires were explore ethnobotanical practices amongst healers. Methanol extracts most common cited screened for sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay both exposure recovery experiments. Three cell lines (human breast adenocarcinoma line MCF-7, human large lung carcinoma COR-L23 amelanotic melanoma C32) one normal (normal keratinocytes SVK-14) screening fractions obtained. The extract Cajanus cajan showed considerable activity was further partitioned dichloromethane fraction subjected preparative chomatography yield six compounds: hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, α-amyrin, β-sitosterol, pinostrobin, longistylin A C. Pinostrobin longistylins C tested lines. In addition, an adriamycin-sensitive acute T-lymphoblastic leukaemia (CCRF-CEM) its multidrug-resistant sub-line (CEM/ADR5000) XTT evaluate pure compounds Results total 30 S W involved study. 45 recorded local names parts therapeutic preparations. Cytotoxicity (IC50 values less than 50 μg/mL) observed 5 (Acanthospermum hispidum, cajan, Morinda lucida, Nymphaea lotus Pycnanthus angolensis). Acanthospermum hispidum active. had IC50 value 5–10 μg/mL, two constituent stilbenes, C, being primarily responsible, 0.7–14.7 μM against range Conclusions Most cytotoxic effect lines, which extent supports inclusion herbal preparations treatment cancer. However, little selectivity cells observed, raises concerns over safety efficacy treatment. appear be responsible much extract.