In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Activity of Root Extracts of Sansevieria liberica Gerome and Labroy (Agavaceae)

Abstract

Introduction. Sansevieria liberica Gerome and Labroy (Agavaceae) is a perennial plant widely distributed in tropical Africa. Preparations of the plant are commonly used across Nigeria for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Based on the fact that herbal medicine is a strong component of integrative medicine, this study was conducted to evaluate the anticancer activity of root extracts of Sansevieria liberica. Methods. Sulforhodamine B (SRB) in vitro cytotoxicity assay, Sarcoma-180 (S-180) ascites and solid tumor, and L1210 lymphoid leukemia in vivo models were used in this study. Results. SL-A002 (IC50 23 µg/mL with HeLa), SL-A003 (IC50 22 µg/mL with HCT-116), and SL-A004 (IC50 23 and 18 µg/mL with A549 and THP-1, resp.) demonstrated significant activity in the SRB cytotoxicity assay. Potency was highest with the following pairs of extract : cancer cell line: SL-A002 : HeLa (IC50 23 µg/mL), SL-A003 : HCT-116 (IC50 22 µg/mL), and SL-A004 : THP-1 (IC50 18 µg/mL). SL-A002 demonstrated significant dose-dependent antitumor activity in the Sarcoma-180 (S-180) ascites model with peak effect produced at the dose of 120 mg/kg (i.p.) with inhibition of 89.36% compared to 97.96% for 5-FU (20 mg/kg i.p.). The inhibition of tumor growth by SL-A002 in the S-180 solid tumor model was 47.40% compared to a value of 50.18% for 5-FU. SL-A002 was also significantly active in the L1210 lymphoid leukemia model with 158.33% increase in mean survival time, the same value for 5-FU. Conclusions. The hydroethanolic extract of Sansevieria liberica, SL-A002, possesses significant anticancer activity to warrant further extensive study to identify, isolate, and characterize the specific bioactive molecules responsible for the observed antitumor activity and the precise mechanism(s) of action.

Figure 1

In vitro cytotoxic activity of SL-A001 against various human cancer cells lines in the SRB assay. Estimated IC₅₀ values are >100, 75, 82, >100, >100, and 82 μg/mL for A549, HCT-116, PC3, A431, HeLa, and THP-1, respectively.

Figure 2

In vitro cytotoxic activity of SL-A002 against various human cancer cells lines in the SRB assay. Estimated IC₅₀ values are >100, 73, 83, NA, 23, and >100 μg/mL for A549, HCT-116, PC3, A431, HeLa, and THP-1, respectively. NA implies not active.

Figure 3

In vitro cytotoxic activity of SL-A003 against various human cancer cells lines in the SRB assay. Estimated IC₅₀ values are NA, 22, 72, >100, 85, and >100 μg/mL for A549, HCT-116, PC3, A431, HeLa, and THP-1, respectively. NA implies not active.

Figure 4

In vitro cytotoxic activity of SL-A004 against various human cancer cells lines in the SRB assay. Estimated IC₅₀ values are 23, 72, 75, >100, >100, and 18 μg/mL for A549, HCT-116, PC3, A431, HeLa, and THP-1, respectively.

Figure 5

Graphical representation of tumor inhibition values in the S-180 ascites and solid tumor models.