Fagonia cretica

About: Fagonia cretica is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 59 publications have been published within this topic receiving 519 citations.

Cytotoxic activity of Fagonia cretica against human breast cancer cells

Abstract: In many parts of the world, plants are directly utilised for their medicinal properties. Traditional medicine from Pakistan, India and the Far East is well documented and its history is embedded in folklore. It has been documented that an aqueous extract of the desert shrub, Fagonia cretica, is a popular treatment for breast cancer in Pakistan. The administration of an aqueous extract of Fagonia cretica is reported effective at reducing tumour size and improving the quality of life of breast cancer patients, is well tolerated and does not exhibit adverse effects like vomiting, diarrhoea or alopecia which are common side effects of standard cytotoxic therapy. In the past, many pharmacologically active and chemotherapeutic compounds have been isolated from plants which subsequently have proven to be successful in clinical trials and been used as primary compounds in therapeutic regimes. Fagonia cretica has historical use as a treatment for breast cancer, yet there is little scientific evidence which shows chemotherapeutic potential towards breast tumours. Preparation and analysis of an aqueous extract of Fagonia cretica may reveal novel chemotherapeutic agents that can be used to effectively target cancer cells. An understanding of the mechanism of any activity may improve our understanding of cancer cell biology and reveal novel therapeutic targets. This thesis describes for the first time that an aqueous extract of Fagonia cretica shows potent in vitro cytotoxic activity towards breast cancer epithelial cell lines which was not seen towards normal mammary epithelial cells. Elucidation and characterisation of the cytotoxic mechanism was undertaken by analysing DNA damage, cell cycle status, apoptosis, metabolic state and expression of transcription factors and their targets. Finally, methods for the isolation and identification of active compound(s) were developed using various chromatographic techniques. An aqueous extract of Fagonia cretica was able to reduce cell viability significantly in two phenotypically different breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). This activity was markedly reduced in normal mammary epithelial cells (HMEpC). Further investigation into the mode of action revealed that extract treatment induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. This coincided with the formation of DNA double stranded breaks and the DNA repair marker ?-H2AX. In MCF-7 cells, ATM/ATR activation resulted in increased p53 expression and of its transcriptional targets p21 and bax, suggesting a role for a p53-mediated response. Furthermore, inhibition of extract-induced p53 expression with siRNA reduced the cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 cells. Extract treatment was also associated with increased FOXO3a expression in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. In the absence of functional p53, siRNA knockdown of extract-induced FOXO3a expression was completely abrogated, suggesting that FOXO3a plays a vital role in extract-induced cytotoxicity. Isolation and characterisation of the active compound(s) within the extract was attempted using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry in conjunction with a cell viability assay. Multiple fractionations generated an active fraction that contained four major compounds as detected by mass spectrometry. However, none of these compounds were identified structurally or chemically due to constraints within the methodology.

Cytotoxic activity of plants of family zygophyllaceae and euphorbiaceae.

Abstract: The methanolic and n-hexane extracts of studied plants showed significant toxicity to brine shrimps. The methanolic extract of Fagonia cretica had highest LD50 (117.72) value, while Peganum harmala showed low LD50 value (41.70) compared to n-hexane extract. The methanolic and n-hexane extracts of Tribulus terrestris showed similar LD50 values. The methanolic extract of Chrozophora tinctoria showed low LD50 value than the n-hexane extract. The methanolic extract of Ricinus communis showed highest LD50 value while the n-hexane extract showed lowest LD50 value. The LD50 value less than 100 was obtained for n-hexane extracts of Fagonia cretica, Peganum harmala and Ricinus communis. The n-hexane extracts of these plants also showed the highest toxicity as compare to methanolic extracts. The chemical constituents detected in the present investigation might be responsible for cytotoxic activity.

Assessment of macronutrients and heavy metals in Fagonia cretica Linn of Pakistan by atomic spectroscopy

Abstract: The macronutrients and heavy metals content of different parts of a locally found herb named Fagonia cretica , an important medicinal herb, were investigated. Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sr and Zn were measured in roots, shoots, leaves, spines and flowers/fruits of the plant. The analysis was carried out by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The results revealed that the Fagonia cretica accumulate the elemental contents at different parts. The accuracy of the method was checked by analysing a certified reference material and the results were in agreement with the enumerate value. The presence of a certain set of elements at percentage level like Ca, K and Mg is useful for strengthening of bones and body. Other elements important from health perspective including Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, Sr and Zn are found at ppm levels in all parts of the plant. KEY WORDS : Fagonia cretica , Macronutrients, Heavy metals, ICP-OES, AAS Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2014 , 28(2), 177-185. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v28i2.2

Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of selected medicinal plant species

Abstract: Phytochemicals are essential compounds, utilized worldwide for curing of various human disorders. The present study comprised of 12 different medicinal plant species i.e. Withania coagulans, W. somnifera, Cannabis sativa, Medicago sativa, Achyranthes aspera, Convolvulus arvensis, Solanum nigrum, Mentha longifolia, Mentha spicata, Tagetes erecta, Fagonia cretica and Acacia nilotica. These species were used by the local inhabitants for treating various aliments. Methanolic extract of leaves of these plant species were investigated for cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, anthraquinones and reducing sugars. Among the reported medicinal plant species, Leaves of Acacia nilotica and Withania somnifera were tested for antibacterial activity which showed significant activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, staphylococcus and Pseudomonas fluorescence. Keywords: Medicinal plants; Phytochemical screening; Antimicrobial activity http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2017.60042