Nanoparticles of Combretum quadrangulare leaf extract induce cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and anti-migration in lung cancer cells

Abstract

In the present study, the cytotoxic effect of Combretum quadrangulare leaf extract and nanoparticles against lung cancer cells was analyzed by MTT assay. The induction of apoptosis by the nanoparticles was investigated by a morphological study, Hoechst staining, Annexin V/Phycoerythrin assay, and cell cycle assay. The anti-migratory effect of the extract and nanoparticles was analyzed using a Transwell® assay. The results showed that the extract and nanoparticles were cytotoxic to A549 cells. The extract had IC50 values of 257.2 and 136.1 μg/mL at 24 and 48 h, respectively, while the nanoparticles had IC50 values of 545.2 and 350.4 μg/mL at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Combretum quadrangulare nanoparticles induced apoptosis in the A549 cell line in a dose- and time-dependent manner. At non-cytotoxic concentrations, the extract and nanoparticles inhibited the migration of A549 cells with concentration dependence. The nanoparticles increased the colloidal stability of the extract. The extract and nanoparticles contained phenolics, flavonoids, terpenes, and tannins. The results suggest that the nanoparticles of Combretum quadrangulare Kurz leaf extract may be a promising candidate for the development of drugs for lung cancer therapy. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.