Anticancer activity and phytochemical composition of wild Gundelia�tournefortii

Abstract

Artichoke-like wild thistles are often used in Palestinian cuisine. One of the most commercially recognized species of these wild edible thistles is <i>Gundelia tournefortii</i>, a common plant in the Mediterranean region. <i>G. tournefortii</i>, or 'Akoob' in Arabic, remains uncultivated, harvested wild by local populations and considered highly valuable due to its reputed health benefits. The present study aimed to investigate the anticancer effects of <i>G. tournefortii</i> on the human colon carcinoma HCT-116 cell line. Methanol and hexane extracts were identified to exert considerable antitumor activity against the HCT-116 cancer cell line, while the aqueous extract was inactive. The phytochemical profiles of the methanol and hexane extracts were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 6 of the 27 natural compounds identified, including sitosterol, stigmasterol, lupeol, gitoxigenin, α-amyrin and artemisinin, have been previously validated as being active against cancerous cells. Therefore, the presence of these phytochemicals in <i>G. tournefortii</i> is of importance in its role in preventing and treating cancer.