A Phytochemical Study and Comparison of the Effect of Citrullus Colocynthis Extracts on Colon Cancer Cells Caco-2

The present study aimed to detect the organic compounds of Citrullus Colocynthis L. and investigate the anticancer and antioxidant effects of four extracts of this plant on Caco-2 cell line.

The effective compounds of the air branches of Citrullus Colocynthis L. were studied using phytochemicals methods. In order to evaluate the cytotoxic and antioxidant characteristics of this plant, the ethanolic and n-hexane extracts of the plant were collected, using Soxhlet apparatus and maceration methods. The effects of these extracts on Caco-2 colon cancer cells were evaluated using MTT tests based on the ability of living cells to convert tetrazolium salt to unsolvable formazan, NBT method to evaluate the reduction of ROS using aqueous nitrotrazole and based on a completely randomized design using SPSS software and Duncan test.

The phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, vitamin C, and protein compounds in Citrullus Colocynthis L. However, no steroids, tannin, saponins were detected in this plant. The results of MTT showed that the least cell survival value of the treated cancerous cell was obtained with n-hexane extract using maceration method. The results of the NBT test also demonstrated the antioxidant properties of all extracts. The NBT results revealed the highest reduction in the percentage of free radicals belonged to the group treated with n-hexane extract by maceration methods and ethanolic extract using Soxhlet apparatus.

The existence of several chemical compounds with proapoptotic properties in the extracts of Citrullus Colocynthis L. proposes the notion that the use of the compounds of these extracts alone or in combination with anticancer drugs may be beneficial in the treatment of colon cancer.