Bongardia chrysogonum (L.) Spach as a potential medicinal plant against cancer and Alzheimer’s disease management

Abstract

Background and Aims: Bongardia chrysogonum (L.) Spach (Berberidaceae), an ancient medicinal plant in Eastern Mediterranean countries, is traditionally used for the treatment of epilepsy, hemorrhoids, urinary system infections and gastrointestinal disorders. This study was designed to evaluate potential neuroprotective and anticancer effects of different parts from B. chrysogonum. Material and Methods: Leaf, stem, and tuber parts of the plant were extracted and subjected to determine cholinesterase enzyme inhibitory potentials and anticancer activities. Enzyme inhibition assays were carried out to screen neuroprotective potentials, while the MTT assay was performed for evaluating anticancer activities of the extracts towards human lung carcinoma (A549), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), brain glioma (C6), and non-tumorous human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) lines. Results: Among the tested extracts, the highest enzyme inhibitory activity was exhibited by tuber-water extract (83.81±0.33% and 62.14±0.60% inhibition on AChE and BChE at 400 µg/mL p