Phytochemical analysis and anticancer potential of Iraqi Allium sativum on colon cancer cells

Allium sativum has been cultivated in different areas around the world and has been used as a food, condiment. Many sources mention Allium sativum as a potential treatment for different ailments. The Current study aimed to assess the anticarcinogenic and antitumor properties of Allium sativum and identify of the major phytochemicals present in Iraqi species. Specific and general tests were carried out for the qualitative analysis of different natural components present in the plant extract in addition to the assessment of the possible antitumor activity of Allium sativum by detecting the dose-response effect of the methanol extract. Serial extract concentrations were tested on a colon cancer cell line to determine the dose-response effect. The anticancer effects after 48 hours of exposure showed a significant inhibition rate in a dose-dependent manner on cancer cell growth. The IC50 value of the extract was found to be 35.13 µg/mL. The inhibition rates at various concentrations were as follows: at 200 µg/mL, the inhibition was 90.9 ± 0.03 %, at 100 µg/mL, it was 68.1 ± 0.05 %, at 50 µg/mL, the inhibition was 52.7 ± 0.09 %, at 25 µg/mL, it was 49.54 ± 0.03 %, at 12.5 µg/mL, it was 36.3 ± 0.05 % and at 6.25 µg/mL, the inhibition was 36.2 ± 0.05 %. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of several bioactive secondary metabolites in the methanol extract, including alkaloids, saponins, steroids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, terpenoids, anthraquinones and cardiac glycosides. These compounds are likely supporting the potential of Allium sativum as a natural anticancer treatment.