In vitro anticancer potential of Anaphyllum wightii Schott. against Dalton’s lymphoma ascites cell lines and molecular docking studies of β-sitosterol

Abstract

Cancer is the second most life threatening noncommunicable disease in humans that challenges the mankind with its multifactorial etiology. Even though various treatment strategies such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, etc. are commonly used for this disease, researches are being focussed on developing plant-derived novel anticancer compounds that lack side effects<em>. </em>There were no previous reports on the anticancer potential of the ethnomedicinally important plant <em>Anaphyllum wightii </em>Schott<em>. </em>(Araceae). Hence, in the present study, we evaluated the <em>in vitro</em> cytotoxic effects of <em>A. wightii</em> on Dalton&rsquo;s lymphoma ascites (DLA) tumor cell line. Interestingly, the acetone extract of rhizome showed much lower LC₅₀ value (14.27 &mu;g/ mL) for the DLA cell line compared to that of normal rat spleen cells (1189.23&mu;g/mL), revealing its significant anticancer potential. The molecular docking analysis showed &beta;-sitosterol, present in the rhizome, as a promising lead molecule for the development of cytochrome P450 1 A1 inhibitors, which may provide potential anticancer agents.