STM Article Repository

Background: Cervical cancer is common in women in less developed regions of the world. The plant biomolecules can be employed for synergistic activity with chemo- and radiotherapy. This combination might result in reduced toxicity and increased efficacy of the treatment regimen. At present, more than 8 South African women die from cervical cancer every day. The anti-cancer activity of the acetone extracts of S. plumosum, T. cilliata and S. pinnata was assessed using different parameters.

Methods: S. plumosum and S. pinnata were collected from Mankweng and T. cilliata from Tzaneen in Limpopo province, South Africa. An immortalized human cell line (HeLa) was used in this study and the cells were cultured and maintained in RPMI media. Secondary metabolite detection and antioxidant activity quantification were determined using the DPPH and ferric iron reducing assays. HeLa cell growth inhibition and mechanistics were assessed by employing MTT and Annexin-V flous assays.

Results: Observations revealed the presence of phenolic, flavonoids, tannins steroids and coumarins in all the plants extracts. A high amount of total phenolic and flavonoid content was detected in S. plumosum and T. cilliata. S. plumosum extract had the best DPPH scavenging activity and ferric reducing powers. The Antioxidant activity profile show S. plumosum to contain more compounds with antioxidant activity as compared to the other two plant extracts.

Conclusion: Observable concentration dependent cell proliferation inhibition by test materials was exhibited. The leaf extracts from T. cilliata, S. plumosum and S. pinnata contain compounds of various polarities with free-radicals, antioxidant and anti-cancerous activities that may play a beneficial role in treatment.