Unveiling Cytotoxic Potential of Herbal Extracts: Plectronia parviflora and Agave cantula against MCF and HCT Cell Lines

Cancer is a global health challenge that requires novel therapeutic approaches. This study investigates hydroalcoholic extracts and compounds isolated from Plectronia parviflora and Agave cantula. Using them as cancer therapies will shed light on their potential as cytotoxic agents. Microscopic confirmation of complete dissociation followed DMEM medium supplemented with 10% FBS cultivation of HCT-15 and MCF-7 cell lines. As controls, cells were introduced without samples at varying concentrations. After the medium was removed, a 24-hour incubation was followed by rinsing the cells in PBS. Trypan blue stain (0.4%) was used to determine cell viability. Upon introducing cells to fresh medium, triplicate samples were introduced. After 18 hours of incubation at 37 ± 1°C, MTT (mg/mL) was added to all wells and incubated for an additional 4 hours. Subsequently, DMSO was introduced, and absorbance readings were taken at 570 nm using a photometer. Cytotoxicity and cell viability were calculated using established formulas. Cytotoxicity analysis revealed distinct patterns in both HCT-15 and MCF-7 cell lines. Among the extracts, hydroalcoholic extracts of P. parviflora exhibited notable cytotoxicity, with IC50 values of 108.46 and 133.37 μg/mL for HCT-15 and MCF-7, respectively. A. cantula extracts displayed variable cytotoxicity, with IC50 values 115.35 and 115.94 μg/mL for HCT-15 and MCF-7. Notably, isolated compounds from these plants exhibited unique cytotoxic profiles with IC50 values of IF-PL-57.82 and 53.72 mg/mL and IF-AC-72.81 and 72.36 mg/mL for HCT-15 and MCF-7. As potential cancer therapy agents, hydroalcoholic extracts of P. parviflora and A. cantula reveal cytotoxic potential. The distinctive cytotoxicity profiles among extracts and isolated compounds underscore the complexity of their mechanisms. Further exploration of the mechanisms and synergies with existing anticancer drugs is required to elucidate these findings, offering exciting prospects for the future..