Cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects of Eryngium creticum Lam. growing in Izmir, Turkey

The genus Eryngium L. from the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family has a distribution with about 250 species all over the world. This genus is the richest genus of the Apiaceae family with 34 sections and numerous subsections [1,2,3]. E. creticum has a broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological effects attributed to different parts and extracts, including anti-snake and anti-scorpion venom, antibacterial and antifungal and antileishmanial effects. It also shows antihyperglycemic, hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities [1].

In this study, in vitro cytotoxic and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitory activity of the hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts obtained from aerial parts of E. creticum were investigated at 0,5; 5 and 50 µg/ml concentrations.

The cell lines A549, CaCo2, HEK293, HeLa and MCF7 were used for cytotoxic activity assays. Hexane extract against HeLa cell line with IC₅₀ 4,6185 ± 0.12 µg/ml and chloroform extract with IC₅₀ 15.95 ± 4.36 µg/ml against HEK293 cell line had the highest cytotoxic activity.

The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was assessed by evaluating the ability of the extracts to inhibit RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line from generating harmful nitric oxide (iNOS activity). All three extracts showed anti-inflammatory activity. Hexane and chloroform extracts inhibited NO production with IC₅₀ values of 0.2247 ± 0.14 µg/ml and 0.2915 ± 0.16 µg/ml respectively.

[1] Kikowska M, Dworacka M, Kedziora I, Thiem B. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. 2016; 26:3: 392 – 399

[2] Wörz A. Turk. J. Bot. 2004; 28: 85 – 92.

[3] Pimenov MG, Leonov MV. The genera of the Umbelliferae. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens, 1993