Evaluation of merits of petroleum ether extract of <i>Bunium bulbocastanum</i> on prostate cancer cell lines: An <i>in vitro</i> study

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the potential anticancer effects of ethanolic seed extract and fractions derived from Bunium bulbocastanum on prostate carcinoma cell line 3 (PC-3). Materials and Methods: B. bulbocastanum seeds were extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus and fractionated based on the solvent polarity. Phytochemical screening and quantitative analyses (total phenolic and flavonoid content) were conducted to assess the presence of bioactive compounds in each fraction. Cytotoxicity screening using the Sulforhodamine B assay was performed on PC-3 and verda reno (VERO) cell lines, with petroleum ether as the most potent cytotoxic fraction (half-maximal inhibitory concentration value). In addition, the antioxidant properties of the extract fractions were evaluated using a nitric oxide radical-scavenging assay. Results: Among the tested fractions, petroleum ether exhibited the highest inhibition percentage. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis of the petroleum ether fraction identified bioactive compounds that potentially contributed to its anticancer properties. The anti-proliferative effects were further evaluated using a scratch wound assay, which revealed significant inhibition of PC-3 cell migration by the petroleum ether fraction. Conclusion: The petroleum ether fraction of B. bulbocastanum demonstrated notable cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activities against PC-3. These findings suggest its potential as a therapeutic candidate for the further exploration of cancer treatment strategies.