Investigating the Potential Cytotoxic Effects and Phytochemical Profile of Ruta chalepensis Aqueous, Acetone, and Hexane Extracts

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, driving the urgent need for safer and more effective treatment options. Herbal medicine, with its diverse bioactive compounds, offers a promising source of novel anticancer agents that may enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. This study explores the phytochemical composition and cytotoxic potential of Ruta chalepensis extracts (acetone, aqueous, and hexane) in an in vitro model. According to high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the acetone and aqueous extracts were high in both flavonoids and monoterpenes, whereas the hexane extract was high in fatty acids and triterpenoids. The cytotoxic effects of these extracts were tested using MTT assay against human lung (A549) and prostate (PC3) cancer cell lines, as well as normal fibroblasts (CCD‐1064SK). With IC 50 values of 43.78 ± 1.18 μg/mL for A549 and 65.96 ± 2.33 μg/mL for PC3, the acetone extract showed the most potent anticancer activity among the examined extracts. These findings suggest that R. chalepensis acetone extract has the potential to be an effective anticancer agent, which requires additional research into its bioactive components and mechanisms of action.