In vitro anticancer efficiency of vitex negundo extracts

Abstract

Background. Vitex negundo is a medicinal plant rich in bioactive phytochemicals, particularly phenolic and flavonoid compounds, which have been associated with antioxidant and anticancer activities. Natural plant-derived compounds have gained increasing attention as potential alternatives for cancer therapy due to their lower toxicity and diverse pharmacological properties. Aim. To evaluate the antioxidant and anticancer activities of aqueous and alcoholic leaf extracts of Vitex negundo through phytochemical analysis, antioxidant assessment, and cytotoxic evaluation against the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Methods. Leaves of Vitex negundo were extracted using aqueous and 80% methanolic solvents by Soxhlet extraction. Total flavonoid and phenolic contents were determined using aluminum chloride and Folin–Ciocalteu methods, respectively. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the phosphomolybdenum assay at concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 μg/mL. Cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells and normal human dermal fibroblast (HdFn) cells was assessed by the MTT assay using extract concentrations ranging from 12.5 to 400 μg/mL. Results. The alcoholic extract exhibited significantly higher flavonoid (512.36 ± 2.82 μg/mL) and phenolic contents (261.83 ± 0.41 μg/mL) than the aqueous extract (287.59 ± 2.61 and 232.94 ± 0.45 μg/mL, respectively). Antioxidant activity was also greater in the alcoholic extract, reaching 17.84 ± 0.75 at 150 μg/mL compared with 4.88 ± 0.73 for the aqueous extract. Both extracts showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells. The alcoholic extract demonstrated stronger anticancer activity with an IC₅₀ value of 56.2 μg/mL, whereas the aqueous extract exhibited an IC₅₀ of 102.0 μg/mL. Both extracts showed comparatively lower toxicity toward normal HdFn cells. Conclusion. Vitex negundo leaf extracts possess considerable antioxidant and anticancer activities, with the alcoholic extract exhibiting superior biological efficacy due to its higher phenolic and flavonoid contents. These findings suggest that Vitex negundo represents a promising natural source of bioactive compounds for the development of potential therapeutic agents against breast cancer