Cytotoxic evaluation of different extracts of Taxus baccata against MDA-MB-468, hela and K562 cancer cell lines

Abstract

Background: Taxus baccata is known as a source of anticancer drug called taxol. This study was performed to confirm the consistency of results obtained by extraction of Taxanes by optimal solvent system using biological assessment. Methods: Three cell lines including MDA-MB-468, Hela and K562 were cultured in PRMI-1640 medium with 10% fetal bovine serum. Powder of aerial parts of Taxus baccata was extracted using 8 different solvent by maceration method. High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) was used to standardize the extracts according to taxol content. Cytotoxicity of different concentrations of extracts (acetone 20, 50 and 100%, ethanol 20, 50 and 100%, acetone dichloromethane (1-1), and pure methanol) was evaluated against cultured cells, using MTT assay. Findings: Acetone-dichloromrthane (1-1) then pure acetone extract were the most cytotoxic extracts. Meanwhile, between the three cell lines tested, the highest cytotoxic effect of the extracts was observed on K562 cells. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that among evaluated extracts, more cytotoxic effect wsa in acetone-dichloromethane (1-1) followed by pure acetone extract. Analysis of extracts showed that the highest amount of taxans has been extracted by acetone-dichloromethane or pure acetone solvent system. We can conclude that there is a direct correlation between the cytotoxic effect and amount of taxans.