RESUMO
AIMS: Swietenia macrophylla have been considered for the treatment of various diseases, including anticancer activity. This study aimed to investigate the anticancer activity of S. macrophylla leaves extract and its isolated compound towards human colorectal cancer cell line. MAIN METHODS: Hexanic extract of S. macrophylla leaves demonstrated relevant cytotoxicity only against colon cancer cell line HCT116. KEY FINDINGS: Our results showed significant DNA damage and apoptosis after treatment with the hexanic extract of S. macrophylla. Moreover, no toxicity was noticed for the animal model. The isolated compound limonoid L1 showed potent cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines with IC50 at 55.87 µg mL-1. Limonoid L1 did not trigger any cell membrane rupture in the mice erythrocytes suggesting no toxicity. The antiproliferative effect of L1 was confirmed in colorectal cancer cells by clonogenic assay, inducing G2/M arrest, apoptosis, and DNA damage in cancer-type cells. SIGNIFICANCE: L1 reduced BCL2 and increased ATM, CHK2, TP53, ARF, CDK1, CDKN1A, and CASP3 in the colorectal cancer cell line. These findings suggest that limonoid L1 isolated from S. macrophylla can be a promising anticancer agent in managing colorectal cancer.