Ethanolic extract of Nymphaea lotus L. (Nymphaeaceae) leaves exhibits in vitro antioxidant, in vivo anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities on Jurkat and MCF-7 cancer cell lines
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Abstract
Background: Nymphaea lotus L. (N. lotus) is an aquatic plant with anecdotal reports suggesting its use in the
traditional management of cancer. However, there is a paucity of data on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and
cytotoxic properties of N. lotus in relation to its phytochemical and elemental contents. This study aimed at
determining the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties of the hydro-ethanolic extract of N. lotus
leaves (NLE), and its phenolic, flavonoid and elemental constituents.
Methods: The antioxidant property of NLE was determined using total phenolic and flavonoid, DPPH radical
scavenging, lipid peroxidation and reducing power assays. The anti-inflammatory activity of NLE (100–250-500 mg/
kg), diclofenac and hydrocortisone (positive controls) were determined by paw oedema and skin prick tests in
Sprague Dawley rats. Also, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was determined by Westergren method. The
macro/micro-elements content was determined by the XRF method. The cytotoxic property of NLE was determined
by the MTT assay, on two cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and Jurkat) and compared to a normal cell line (Chang liver).
Inhibitory concentrations were determined as IC50 values (±SEM).Results: The extract had appreciable levels of phenolic and flavonoids compounds and was two-fold more potent
in scavenging DPPH radicals than Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). However, NLE was three- and six-fold less potent
than ascorbic acid and BHT, respectively, in reducing Fe3+ to Fe2+. The extract was six-fold more potent than gallic
acid in inhibiting lipid peroxidation. The extract caused a dose-dependent decrease in rat paw oedema sizes,
comparable to diclofenac, and a significant decrease in wheel diameters and ESR. The elemental analysis revealed
relevant concentrations of Mg2+, P2+, S2+, K2+, Mn+, Fe+, Cu+, Zn+ and Cd+. The extract exhibited cytotoxic activity
on both MCF-7 (IC50 = 155.00 μg/ml) and Jurkat (IC50 = 87.29 μg/ml), with higher selectivity for Jurkat cell line.
Interestingly, the extract showed low cytotoxicity to the normal Chang liver cell line (IC50 = 204.20 μg/ml).
Conclusion: N. lotus leaves extract exhibited high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cancer-cell-specific cytotoxic
properties. These aforementioned activities could be attributed to its phenolic, flavonoid and elemental
constituents.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Nymphaea lotus, Cytotoxicity, Micro/macro-elements, MCF7, Jurkat