Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of an Ethylacetate Fraction of Picria Fel-Terrae Lour. Herbs

BACKGROUND: Excessive production of oxygen free radicals and imbalance in the mechanisms responsible for antioxidant protection may result in the onset of many diseases including breast cancer. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate antiproliferative and antioxidant activity of an ethylacetate fraction (EAF) of Picria fel-terrae Lour. Herbs in the T47D cell line. METHODS: Phenolic and total flavonoid contents in EAF were determined. EAF was tested for cytotoxicity and effects on the cell cycle and apoptosis, as well as antioxidant activity. RESULTS: EAF was found to contain high levels of phenolic agents (92.88 ± 0.50 mg GAE/g), total flavonoid (84.39 ± 0.07 mg QE/g). The EAF of Picria fel-terrae Lour. herbs was found to have an IC50 of 62.98µg/mL, caused accumulation in G0-G1 and S phase and increased early and late apoptosis. Antioxidant activity in DPPH assays gave an IC50 of 166.90 ± 0.10 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The results reveal that EAF of Picria fel-terrae Lour. herbs has antiproliferative activity and strong antioxidant potential. Further studies are now needed to isolate the responsible antiproliferative and antioxidant components.