Ferutinin content and cytotoxic effects of various Ferula L. species on prostate cancer (PC-3) cell line

Abstract

FerulaL. is representedby 23 taxa in Turkish flora. Most of the species are known as “Caksır” and roots are used as aphrodisiac in Anatolia. The aim of this study is to investigate the cytotoxic potential of roots of twelve different FerulaL. species distributing in Anatolia on prostate cancer cell line PC-3. Three extracts with different polaritywere prepared from grounded roots of plants by ultrasonic solvent extraction. WST assay wasperformed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of extracts. High cytotoxic activity was observed in F. elaeochytris, F. drudeanachloroform extracts and F. szowitsianahexane extract (IC50: 3.21±0.24μg/ml, 5.92±0.53μg/ml, 8.03±0.51μg/ml respectively) whereas methanol extracts of all species had no cytotoxic activity. F. tingitanachloroform extractinducedhigh proliferation in dose dependent manner. A daucane ester “ferutinin” content was evaluated among the extracts by UPLC and it is found in highest concentrations in F. tenuissimaand F. halophilahexane extracts (167380 μg/gand 157160 μg/grespectively). Although there is not a direct relationship between ferutinin content and cytotoxicity on PC-3, F. elaeochytris, F. drudeana, F. szowitsianaand F. tenuissimacan be good candidates for the further studies for finding leadphytochemical compounds for prostate cancer treatment.