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. 2025 Oct 25:e01758.
doi: 10.1002/cbdv.202501758. Online ahead of print.

Methanol Extract of Young Lantana camara L. Leaves Exhibit Anti-Ovarian Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Effects via Inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK Pathways

Cletus Anes Ukwubile  1 , Anietie Eyo Robert  2 , Benjamin Onyebuchi Ezema  3 , Hassan Braimah Yesufu  4 , Ademola Clement Famurewa  2 , Emmanuel Oise Ikpefan  5
Affiliations

Methanol Extract of Young Lantana camara L. Leaves Exhibit Anti-Ovarian Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Effects via Inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK Pathways

Cletus Anes Ukwubile et al. Chem Biodivers. .

Abstract

Lantana camara (LC) L. is a widely distributed plant long used in African and Asian medicine for pain, inflammation, skin disorders, and cancer-related symptoms. Young leaves are often brewed into teas to manage digestive and reproductive conditions, including ovarian inflammation. This study examined the methanol extract of young LC leaves for anti-ovarian cancer and anti-inflammatory potential through modulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) pathways. Phytochemical and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses identified over 30 bioactive compounds, notably oleic acid, pyrazine, and palmitic acid. Anticancer activity was tested on SKOV3 and OVCAR-3 ovarian cancer cells, with MTT assays showing strong cytotoxicity (IC50: 12.6 ± 1.8 and 18.9 ± 2.1 µg/mL), while sparing normal IOSE-80 cells (IC50 > 140 µg/mL). Annexin V-FITC/PI staining indicated enhanced apoptosis, with early and late apoptotic populations reaching 31.4% ± 2.5% and 24.7% ± 3.1%. Western blot confirmed suppression of phosphorylated PI3K, AKT, mTOR, MEK, and ERK. In LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, the extract reduced nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (-43.2%), interleukin (IL)-6 (-39.8%), PGE2 (-47.6%), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) (p < 0.05). ELISA and immunofluorescence further validated cytokine inhibition. These results indicate that LC leaves possess strong anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting their traditional use and therapeutic potential against ovarian cancer and inflammation.

Keywords: Lantana camara; MAPK signaling; PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway; anti‐inflammatory; bioactive compounds; ovarian cancer.

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