Anti-proliferative activity of Delphinium denudatum wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson on U251 MG Glioblastoma Cells

Background: Delphinium denudatum Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson (D. denudatum), a perennial herb from the Ranunculaceae family, contains diterpenoid alkaloids with reported bioactivities. While certain Delphinium species are utilized in Chinese folk medicine for analgesic effects, specific documentation for D. denudatum in traditional Chinese medicine is limited. This study evaluates the anti-proliferative effects of its methanolic root extract (DDE) on the U251 MG glioblastoma cell line. Materials and methods: U251 MG cells were treated with various concentrations of DDE and assessed for viability using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Fluorouracil (50 µg/mL) served as the positive control. The percentage of inhibition and IC₅₀ values were calculated from dose–response curves to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of the extract. Results: DDE demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of U251 MG cell proliferation, peaking at ∼60% inhibition at 50 µg/mL, with an IC₅₀ of 43.75 µg/mL. Higher concentrations exhibited reduced inhibition, suggesting a biphasic response. These findings indicate selective cytotoxicity and therapeutic promise of DDE in targeting glioblastoma cells. Discussion: These findings provide preliminary evidence of DDE's cytotoxic potential against glioblastoma cells, supporting further exploration of its bioactive constituents, such as diterpenoid alkaloids, for anti-cancer applications.