Ciência Rural ()

In vitro screening for growth inhibition activity on cancer cell lines of northern Chile highlands shrubs

  • Luis Bustos González,
  • Mario Juan Simirgiotis,
  • Claudio Parra,
  • Susana Alfaro-Lira,
  • Emilio Soto,
  • Carlos Echiburú-Chau

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20190757

Abstract

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ABSTRACT: Cancer is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Many chemotherapeutics from plants have been tested in cancer, such as vinblastine and paclitaxel. The north of Chile, Arica & Parinacota region, is characterized by its vegetal biodiversity due to its unique geographical and climatological conditions, offering an unexplored and unique source of naturally-derived compounds. The present research has considered a screening of 26 highland herbs using an in vitro growth inhibition model in a panel of six cancer cell lines from different tissues. 5 of the 26 studied ethanolic extracts shows strong activity at least in one cell line when tested at 10 µg mL-1. We present a group of plants worthy to be evaluated as promissory extracts. This work is part of the systematic attempt to find new candidates to be used in cancer therapies.

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