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VOL. 11, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Phytochemical profiling and anticancer activity of Heliotropium marifolium (J. Koenig ex Retz.) leaf and stem extracts against the A549 human lung cancer cell line
Authors
Srinivasan Nithya, Edward Gnanaraj Wesely, Karunakaran Thangadurai, Michael Helan Soundra Rani, Mohammed Nazeena Bobby
Abstract
The present study investigates the effects of phytochemicals derived
from the stem and leaves of Heliotropium marifolium on lung cancer.
Phytochemicals were isolated using simple solvent extraction through
conventional methods, and the extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass
spectrometry (GC–MS). Dried plant materials were subjected to qualitative
phytochemical screening, and the most effective solvent extracts were further
analyzed using GC–MS. Cytotoxic effects against lung cancer cells were
evaluated using the MTT assay, nuclear condensation assay, and mitochondrial
membrane potential assay for both stem and leaf extracts. Qualitative
phytochemical analysis revealed that ethanol and isopropanol extracts were more
effective than nonpolar solvent extracts. Quantitative assays demonstrated that
leaves contained higher levels of phenols, alkaloids, and flavonoids compared
to stems. GC–MS analysis showed that the leaf extract mainly contained
bioactive compounds such as exadecenoic acid, phytol, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid
(Z, Z), and 17-octadecynoic acid. In contrast, the stem extract primarily contained
cholest-5-en-3-ol (3β), isocholesterylmethyl ether, and ergosta-5,22-dien-3-ol
(3β,22E). At concentrations up to 100 µg/mL, neither extract exhibited
cytotoxic effects on A549 cells; however, at 200 µg/mL, both extracts
significantly inhibited cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner.
The leaf extract exhibits a notably lower IC50 value, indicating
stronger cytotoxic activity. Overall, the aerial parts of H. marifolium
demonstrated significant anticancer activity against the A549 human lung cancer
cell line. This study suggests that H. marifolium may serve as a
potential, safe candidate for the development of novel therapeutic agents for
early-stage cancer treatment without causing toxicity to healthy cells.
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Pages:100-106
How to cite this article:
Srinivasan Nithya, Edward Gnanaraj Wesely, Karunakaran Thangadurai, Michael Helan Soundra Rani, Mohammed Nazeena Bobby "Phytochemical profiling and anticancer activity of <i>Heliotropium marifolium </i>(J. Koenig ex Retz.) leaf and stem extracts against the A549 human lung cancer cell line". International Journal of Botany Studies, Vol 11, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 100-106
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