Fractions and Compounds Obtained from Transformed Plant Cell Cultures of Lopezia racemosa Show Anti-Inflammatory and Cytotoxic Activities

<i>Lopezia racemosa</i> Cav., commonly known as "cancer herb" in indigenous communities, has long been used for its medicinal properties. The biotechnological production of its bioactive compounds through genetic transformation represents a valuable approach for obtaining pharmacologically relevant substances. The initial focus of this study was to identify compounds previously reported in the species; however, phytochemical analysis by HPLC and NMR led to the isolation and identification of two pentacyclic triterpene esters not previously described in <i>L. racemosa</i>: 3-O-[(E)-feruloyl]-maslinic acid (<b>1</b>) and 3-O-[(E)-feruloyl]-corosolic acid (<b>2</b>), identified as constituents of fraction 33. The LRTC3.1 callus line was obtained from hairy roots generated by infecting <i>L. racemosa</i> leaf explants with <i>Agrobacterium rhizogenes</i> strain ATCC15834/pTDT. The crude extract, specific fractions, and the mixture of these compounds demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema model, where the crude extract achieved 51.02% inhibition of inflammation compared to meloxicam (30.86%). Cytotoxicity was assessed against three human cancer cell lines: breast carcinoma (MCF7), cervical carcinoma (SiHa), and colon carcinoma (HCT-15). Fractions FD (28-29) and 33 exhibited potent cytotoxic effects, with IC₅₀ values of 0.508 and 1.345 µg/mL against SiHa cells, and 0.053 and 2.693 µg/mL against MCF-7 cells, respectively. These findings suggest that transformed <i>L. racemosa</i> cultures represent a promising source of bioactive compounds for potential therapeutic development.