Triterpenoid of avocado ( Persea americana ) seed and its cytotoxic activity toward breast MCF-7 and liver HepG2 cancer cells

Objective To determine the structure of triterpenoid isolated from avocado seeds and the cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 and HepG2 cells. Methods The powder sample was macerated with ethanol, followed with separation of the extract by column chromatography. The target compound was monitored on thin layer chromatography plate and reagent Lieberman–Buchard. The isolated compound was characterized by spectral analysis, mainly ultraviolet, infrared, and liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy and their spectroscopic data with those reported in literature were compared. In vitro cytotoxic activity was investigated against Vero, MCF-7, and HepG2 cell lines using MTT assay. Results A triterpenoid compound was isolated from ethanol extract. The extracts, fraction (F 3 ), and the isolated compound showed a significant cytotoxic activity against all investigated cell lines. MTT assay showed that the triterpenoid isolate inhibited cell proliferation of MCF-7 and HepG2 cell line with the IC 50 values of 62 μg/mL and 12 μg/mL, respectively, and was safe to normal cells. Conclusions The results of the present study reveal that triterpenoid from avocado seeds have the potential for further development as anticancer agents.