Comparative evaluation of anti-cancer properties from different Indian plants and seaweed using in vitro and silico technique

Background/aim:Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains one of the main contributors to the global health burden. Researchers have been exploring alternative treatments as chemotherapy has shown a tremendous amount of adverse side effects on patient’s health. Materials and methods:This study focuses on comparing the anti-neoplastic effects of Syzygium aromaticum (clove), Myristica fragrans (mace), Sargassum wightii (a marine brown algae), and Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) using in vitro and in silico techniques. This study employs MTT assay using A549 cell lines to study the potential of anti-proliferative as well as DPPH assay to study the anti-oxidative properties of the samples. To understand the molecular mechanism by which these phytochemicals work, the study uses ligand-protein docking with cancer-critical proteins like AKT1, EGFR and KRAS. Results:The study reveals that Myristica fragrans (mace) has the lowest LD50 value indicating being most cytotoxic towards A549 lung cancer cells while Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds have the highest anti-oxidative properties amongst the samples. Docking studies also indicate efficient binding of some of the bioactive compounds like Piperitol and Sarsasapogenin with cancer-critical proteins.Conclusion:In conclusion, these plant and seaweed samples show potential for future studies in drug development of alternative therapies for cancer.