Phytochemical Characterization and Evaluation of the Antimicrobial, Antiproliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Potential of <em>Ephedra alata</em> Decne. Hydroalcoholic Extract against the MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line
Danciu Corina,
Muntean Delia,
Alexa Ersilia,
Farcas Claudia,
Oprean Camelia Zupko Istvan,
Bor Andrea,
Minda Daliana,
Proks Maria,
Buda Valentina,
Hancianu Monica,
Cioanca Oana,
Soica Codruta,
Popescu Sofia,
Dehelean Cristina Adriana
Affiliations
Danciu Corina
Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeş“, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, România
Muntean Delia
Department of Microbiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeş“, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, România
Alexa Ersilia
Department of Food Control, Banat's University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului No. 119, 300641 Timisoara, Romania
Farcas Claudia
Department of Pharmaceutical Physics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeş“, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, România
Oprean Camelia Zupko Istvan
Department of Drug analysis; chemistry of the environment and food, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeş“, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, România
Bor Andrea
Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6., Szeged H-6720, Hungary
Minda Daliana
Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeş“, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, România
Proks Maria
Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeş“, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, România
Buda Valentina
Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeş“, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, România
Hancianu Monica
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Gr.T.Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi 700115, Romania
Cioanca Oana
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Gr.T.Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi 700115, Romania
Soica Codruta
Department of Pharmaceutical chemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeş“, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, România
Popescu Sofia
Department of Food Control, Banat's University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului No. 119, 300641 Timisoara, Romania
Dehelean Cristina Adriana
Department of Toxicology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeş“, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, România
Ephedra alata Decne. belongs to the Ephedraceae family. It is a species of Ephedra that grows mostly in the desert. Today, the main importance of Ephedra species in the medical field is due to the presence of the alkaloids derived from phenyl-alanine, which act on the sympathetic nervous system as a sympathomimetic. The aim of this study was to conduct a phytochemical characterization of the hydroalcoholic extract of the aerial part of Ephedra alata Decne., which is indigenous to Tunis, that involves the total phenolic content, individual phenolic content, and antioxidant activity as well as a biological screening for the evaluation of the antimicrobial, antifungal, antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, and cytotoxic potential against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The results show that the hydroalcoholic extract contains polyphenolic phytocompounds (156.226 ± 0.5 mgGAE/g extract) and elicits antioxidant activity (7453.18 ± 2.5 μmol Trolox/g extract). The extract acted as a bacteriostatic agent against all tested bacterial strains, but was bactericidal only against the Gram-positive cocci and Candida spp. In the set experimental parameters, the extract presents antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, and cytotoxic potential against the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line.
