Phytochemical Profile, Toxicological Screening, Antitumor Activity, and Immunomodulatory Response of Saline Extract from Euphorbia hirta L. Leaves
<i>Euphorbia hirta</i> L. is traditionally used to treat tumors and has demonstrated anticancer effects. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition, toxicity, and antitumor activity of saline extract (SE) from <i>E. hirta</i> leaves in mice. Phytochemical analysis included thin layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and quantification of phenols, flavonoids, and proteins. Acute toxicity (2000 mg/kg) assessed mortality, hematological, biochemical, histological parameters, water/feed intake, and body weight. Genotoxicity was evaluated via comet and micronucleus assays. Antitumor activity was tested in vitro and in vivo on sarcoma 180. SE contained 107.3 mg GAE/g phenolics and 22.9 mg QE/g flavonoids; the presence of gallic and ellagic acids was detected. Protein concentration was 12.16 mg/mL with lectin activity present. No mortality, organ damage, or genotoxic effects occurred in toxicity tests. SE demonstrated in vitro cytotoxicity against sarcoma cells (IC<sub>50</sub>: 10 µg/mL). In vivo, SE (50-200 mg/kg) reduced tumor weight by 70.2-72.3%. SE modulated IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in tumor environment. Tumors showed inflammatory infiltrate, necrosis, and fibrosis after treatment. These findings position the extract as a promising candidate for further development as a safe, plant-based antitumor agent.
Authors
- Roberto Araújo Sá (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1895-9175)
- Amanda de Oliveira Marinho
- Leydianne Leite de Siqueira Patriota (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4600-6136)
- Jainaldo Alves da Costa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1308-9329)
- Robson Raion de Vasconcelos Alves (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7539-0491)
- Alisson Macário de Oliveira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4152-150X)
- Isabella Coimbra Vila Nova (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7499-7451)
- Luiz Alberto Lira Soares (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3142-6173)
- João Victor de Oliveira Alves (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0132-6187)
- Sheilla Andrade de Oliveira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4759-8436)
- Magda Rhayanny Assunção Ferreira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8668-6223)
- Thiago Henrique Napoleão (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0065-2602)
- Fernanda das Chagas Ângelo Mendes Tenório (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8255-356X)
- Patrícia Maria Guedes Paiva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3467-708X)
- Matheus Cavalcanti de Barros (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8769-0221)
- Virgínia Maria Barros de Lorena (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0663-236X)
- Maria Lı́gia Rodrigues Macedo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6969-6307)
- Carina Scanoni Maia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4301-0319)
- Viviane Cristina Vieira da Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3562-6230)
Institutions
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (BR)
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (BR)
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (BR)
- Universidade de Pernambuco (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Molecules
- Published
- 2025-07-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153105
- Primary Topic
- Bioactive Natural Diterpenoids Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Fundação de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul