Abstract
Plant-based compounds have garnered interest as alternative and adjunct cancer therapies due to their anti-proliferative properties. This study examines the effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana), apple peel (Malus domestica), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), elderberry (Sambucus nigra), and berberis (Berberis vulgaris) on HeLa cell proliferation. Using in vitro CyQuant assays, we assessed their impact at varying concentrations. Results indicate that guarana and apple peel extracts may exhibit anti-proliferative activity, with guarana acting synergistically with paclitaxel. We believe the extracts are likely acting through oxidative stress modulation, apoptosis induction, and cell cycle disruption (Cavalcanti et al., 2020; Hertz, 2015; Khan et al., 2019). These findings support further investigation into plant-based compounds as complementary cancer therapies, aligning with the need for additional and more effective treatments (American Cancer Society, 2020; Chen et al., 2019).
Included in
Anti-Proliferative Potential of Plant Extracts: A Study of Guarana, Apple Peel, Milk Thistle, Elderberry, and Barberry
Plant-based compounds have garnered interest as alternative and adjunct cancer therapies due to their anti-proliferative properties. This study examines the effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana), apple peel (Malus domestica), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), elderberry (Sambucus nigra), and berberis (Berberis vulgaris) on HeLa cell proliferation. Using in vitro CyQuant assays, we assessed their impact at varying concentrations. Results indicate that guarana and apple peel extracts may exhibit anti-proliferative activity, with guarana acting synergistically with paclitaxel. We believe the extracts are likely acting through oxidative stress modulation, apoptosis induction, and cell cycle disruption (Cavalcanti et al., 2020; Hertz, 2015; Khan et al., 2019). These findings support further investigation into plant-based compounds as complementary cancer therapies, aligning with the need for additional and more effective treatments (American Cancer Society, 2020; Chen et al., 2019).