Cytotoxicity of selected medicinal and nonmedicinal plant extracts to microbial and cervical cancer cells.

This study investigated the cytotoxicity of 55 species of plants. Each plant was rated as medicinal, or nonmedicinal based on the existing literature. About 79% of the medicinal plants showed some cytotoxicity, while 75% of the nonmedicinal plants showed bioactivity. It appears that Asteraceae, Labiatae, Pinaceae, and Chenopodiaceae were particularly active against human cervical cancer cells. Based on the literature, only three of the 55 plants have been significantly investigated for cytotoxicity. It is clear that there is much toxicological work yet to be done with both medicinal and nonmedicinal plants.

Cytotoxicity of Atriplex confertifolia.

The search for cancer treatment continues to be a global effort. As part of this global effort, many natural products have been tested against cancer cell lines, mostly from tropically located plants. This study reports that extracts of Atriplex confertifolia (Torr. and Frem.) S. Watson (Chenopodiaceae), a native North American plant (also known as shadscale or saltbush), has significant bioactivity against human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, MDA-MB 435, MDA-MB 231, and HeLa cells (cervical cancer cells). The bioactivity of A. confertifolia extracts on these cells lines was compared to an FDA-approved cancer drug (Onxol((R))) and an industry-standard leukocyte control cell line. Active portions of the extracts were found primarily in the polar fractions of the plant. A dose-response curve of the extracts displayed significant cell death similar to Onxol((R)). The plant extracts did not significantly inhibit the viability of the leukocyte cell line. In a timed study, over 90% of cell lines MDA-MB 435 and HeLa died after 24 hours. Cell death appears to result from apoptosis.