Bio-selective hormonal breast cancer cytotoxic and antioxidant potencies of Melia azedarach L. wild type leaves

Abstract

<i>Melia azedarach</i> L. is used widely in traditional medicine for local or systemic ailments. Although studies exist on phytochemicals and potencies of Chinese and Indian cultivars of <i>Melia</i>, the present study investigated <i>in vitro</i> antioxidant properties of <i>Melia</i> wild type and its cytotoxicity against T47D cell. The ethanolic extract of the <i>Melia</i> leaves was fractionated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and water, and the secondary metabolites were obtained. The antioxidant properties were determined with IC₅₀ DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazyl) radical and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), while the cytotoxicity was determined with the MTT method. The total phenolic (TPC) and β-sitosterol (SC) contents were also measured. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction had higher antioxidant and cytotoxic activities (IC₅₀ 211.89 ± 10.86 and 147.90 ± 8.49 μg/mL, respectively) than others. Significant (p < 0.05) correlations were observed between TPC, IC₅₀DPPH, FRAP and IC₅₀T47D. LC-EI MS analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction revealed the steroid and triterpenoid saponins, limonoids and quercetin glycosides, which influenced the medicinal properties of the <i>Melia</i> leaves. <i>Melia azedarach</i> L. wild type leaf extracts are a promising natural resource for managing breast cancer.