Cytotoxicity of alkaloids isolated from Argemone mexicana on SW480 human colon cancer cell line.

BACKGROUND

Argemone mexicana Linn. (Papaveraceae) has been used as traditional medicine in India and Taiwan for the treatment of skin diseases, inflammations, bilious, fever, etc. Some alkaloids of A. mexicana have been screened for their cytotoxicity on different cancer cell lines.

OBJECTIVE

The study investigates potential cytotoxic effects of alkaloids isolated from aerial part of A. mexicana on SW480 human colon cancer cell line.

METHODS

Six alkaloids, 13-oxoprotopine, protomexicine, 8-methoxydihydrosanguinarine, dehydrocorydalmine, jatrorrhizine, and 8-oxyberberine were isolated from the methanol extract of A. mexicana. Cytotoxicity of these alkaloids was studied on SW480 human colon cancer cell line at 1, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, and 200 µg/mL for 24 and 48 h. Cells were seeded in a 96-well micro-plate at a concentration of 2 × 10(4) cells per well and MTS assay was performed to assess cytotoxicity in terms of cell viability.

RESULTS

At 200 µg/mL, protomexicine and 13-oxoprotopine showed mild cytotoxicity (∼24-28%) whereas dehydrocorydalmine exhibited moderate cytotoxicity (∼48%). 8-Oxyberberine was mildly cytotoxic (∼27%) at 24 h but was more potent (∼76%) at 48 h. Jatrorrhizine and 8-methoxydihydrosanguinarine were most potent (∼95-100%) in inhibiting the human colon cancer cell proliferation showing complete reduction in cell viability.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study on the effect of these alkaloids on SW480 human colon cancer cell line. This study indicates that some alkaloids of A. mexicana strongly inhibit the cell proliferation in human colon cancer cells, and it might be a basis for future development of a potent chemotherapeutic drug.