Phytochemical investigation, antioxidant and anticancer activities of various Unani drugs

Mohd Nazir Mannan; Lahari Kuna; Alokananda Chakraborty; Mohammad Zakir; Syeda Hajra Fatima; Ahmed Minhajuddin; Munawwar Husain Kazmi; Tasleem Ahmad

doi:10.1515/dmpt-2022-0110

Article

Phytochemical investigation, antioxidant and anticancer activities of various Unani drugs

Mohd Nazir Mannan , Lahari Kuna , Alokananda Chakraborty , Mohammad Zakir , Syeda Hajra Fatima , Ahmed Minhajuddin , Munawwar Husain Kazmi and Tasleem Ahmad

Published/Copyright: September 28, 2022

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From the journal Drug Metabolism and Personalized Therapy Volume 38 Issue 1

Abstract

Objectives

To analyze the phytochemicals, antioxidant, and anticancer activities on MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line using aqueous, hydro-ethanol, and methanol extracts of different Unani drugs, e.g., Halela Siyah, Aftimoon, Bisfayej, Ustukhudoos, and Kutki.

Methods

The qualitative examination (alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, and saponins), anticancer activity, and an antioxidant assay of the three different extracts were done by MTT assay and DPPH assay, respectively, using different Unani drugs.

Results

The qualitative examination confirmed the substantive presence of phytochemical constituents in all the extracts of these drugs. The Methanolic extract of Halela Siyah had the highest DPPH scavenging activity (91%), while Bisfayej had the lowest (58%). Similarly, the hydro-ethanolic extract showed approximately identical activity for Halela Siyah (89%), Aftimoon (88%), Bisfayej (84%), Kutki (82%), and Ustukhudoos (81%). The aqueous extracts of Halela Siyah (88%) had the highest DPPH scavenging activity, whereas Bisfayej (73%) had the lowest. The methanolic extract of Aftimoon demonstrated the greatest anticancer activity (IC₅₀ – 108), while Aftimoon showed the least activity (IC₅₀ – 316). Halela Siyah (IC₅₀ – 175) and Aftimoon (IC₅₀ – 178) showed substantially the same activity in aqueous extracts. Ustukhudoos hydro-ethanol extracts had the highest (IC₅₀ – 130) activity, whereas Aftimoon had the lowest (IC₅₀ – 204).

Conclusions

In conclusion, our findings evaluated the presence of phytochemicals, good antioxidant activity, and anticancer activity in different extracts of drugs used in this study. The study shows these drugs have potential anticancer activity against breast cancer in MCF-7 cell lines.

Keywords: anticancer; antioxidant; MCF-7 cell lines; Unani drugs

Corresponding author: Tasleem Ahmad, Department of Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Lab, National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders (NRIUMSD), Hyderabad 500038, Telangana, India, E-mail: tasleem.jh@gmail.com

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Prof. Asim Ali Khan, Director General, CCRUM, New Delhi for providing the necessary facilities and infrastructure for carrying out the research work.

Research funding: None declared.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Informed consent: Not applicable.
Ethical approval: Not applicable.

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Received: 2022-02-17

Accepted: 2022-08-24

Published Online: 2022-09-28

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/dmpt-2022-0110

Keywords for this article

anticancer; antioxidant; MCF-7 cell lines; Unani drugs