ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS EXHIBITS ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND SELECTIVE CYTOTOXICITY IN PANC-1 CANCER CELLS COMPARED TO HEPARG HEPATOCYTES

Pancreatic cancer remains a significant public health burden due to the challenges of detection in the early stages, which contribute to its low rate of survival.Furthermore, treatment options are limited and often accompanied by increased toxicity.For this reason, the need for safer alternatives is in continuous research.Juniperus communis is a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds that have been traditionally used for their therapeutic effects.However, its anticancer potential is still being explored.This study investigated the antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential of a JCo ethanolic extract, focusing on its selective cytotoxic effects on pancreatic cancer (PANC-1) and healthy human primary hepatocytes (HepaRG) cell lines.LC-MS/MS analysis was also used to identify key phytochemicals in the plantisoquercitrin, hyperoside, quercitrin, and rutin, which are known for their multiple therapeutic properties.The antimicrobial potential was also evaluated using disk diffusion and MIC methods, revealing significant activity against Streptococcus pyogenes.The extract showed cytotoxic effects against the PANC-1 cell line in a dose-dependent manner at the intermediate and the highest concentration tested.In contrast, on HepaRG, it presented a stimulatory effect at all concentrations.Morphological and nuclear staining analyses confirmed apoptotic-like changes, especially at higher doses.The HET-CAM assay confirmed its non-irritant nature, supporting its safety for potential use in several therapeutic applications. RezumatCancerul pancreatic rmne o povar semnificativ pentru sntatea public din cauza dificultilor de detectare n stadii incipiente, care contribuie la rata sczut de supravieuire.n plus, opiunile de tratament sunt limitate i adesea nsoite de toxicitate crescut.Din acest motiv, nevoia de alternative mai sigure este n continu cercetare.Juniperus communis (JCo) este o plant medicinal bogat n compui bioactivi care a fost utilizat n mod tradiional pentru efectele sale terapeutice, cu toate acestea, potenialul su anticancerigen este nc explorat.Acest studiu a investigat potenialul antimicrobian i citotoxic al unui extract etanolic de JCo, concentrndu-se pe efectele sale citotoxice selective asupra liniilor celulare de cancer pancreatic (PANC-1) i hepatocite umane primare sntoase (HepaRG).Analiza LC-MS/MS a fost, de asemenea, utilizat pentru a identifica principalele substane fitochimice din plantisoquercitrina, hiperosida, quercitrina i rutina -cunoscute pentru proprietile lor terapeutice multiple.Potenialul antimicrobian a fost, de asemenea, evaluat prin metode de difuzie pe disc i CMI, relevnd o activitate semnificativ mpotriva Streptococcus pyogenes.Extractul a prezentat efecte citotoxice mpotriva liniei celulare PANC-1 ntr-o manier dependent de doz la concentraia intermediar i la cea mai mare concentraie testat, n timp ce pe HepaRG, acesta a prezentat un efect stimulator la toate concentraiile.Analizele morfologice i de colorare nuclear au confirmat modificri de tip apoptotic, n special la doze mai mari.n plus, testul HET-CAM a confirmat caracterul su neiritant, susinnd sigurana sa pentru utilizarea potenial n mai multe aplicaii terapeutice.