Extracts from medicinal plants inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce apoptosis in ovary, lung and neuronal cancer cell lines

Materials and methods Our work aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity, protective properties and anti-proliferative capacity of Lycium europeaum and Jatropha podagrica extracts on the proliferation and evolution of A547 (ovarian cancer cell line), OVCAR-3 (human ovary adenocarcinoma cell line), A549 (Human lung adenocarcinoma cell line) and PC12 (rat adrenal medulla Pheochromocytoma cells). The cytotoxicity of the studied extracts was also evaluated on cerebellar granule cells. Cell viability was monitored using thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. Induction of apoptosis in treated cells was measured through caspases 3/7 activity. Cytoprotective properties of the extracts were assessed by monitoring the effect of induced-oxidative stress damages on cellular macromolecules. Free radical scavenging capacity was investigated by different methods such as DPPH and reducing power.