Joseph Shalom1,2, Ian Edwin Cock1,2,*
1Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170Â Kessels, Nathan, Queensland, AUSTRALIA.
2School of Science and Environment, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, 170Â Kessels, Nathan, Queensland, AUSTRALIA.
DOI: 10.5530/pc.2025.4.21
ABSTRACT
Background: High antioxidant foods have been linked to multiple therapeutic properties, including the anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite this, the anticancer activities of many Australian native plants with high antioxidant capacities are yet to be adequately explored. Materials and Methods: The antiproliferative activity of extracts prepared from the fruits and leaves of a selection of high antioxidant Australian plants against human HeLa cervical and Caco-2 colorectal carcinoma cell lines was examined using MTS assays. Artemia nauplii lethality assays (ALA) were used to evaluate the therapeutic safety of the extracts. Results: Methanolic, aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts prepared from the fruit of Davidsonia pruriens were strong inhibitors of proliferation of HeLa and Caco-2 cells, with IC50 values 169-376 ÎĽg/mL. Although Elaeocarpus angustifolia, Kunzea pomifera, Podocarpus elatus and Acronychia acidula fruit extracts also inhibited HeLa and Caco-2 proliferation, they were substantially less potent inhibitors of cell proliferation. Additionally, all of the extracts were determined to be nontoxic in the ALA, and the calculated therapeutic indexes highlighted the potential of the extracts for therapeutic use at effective doses. Conclusion: The D. pruriens extracts were particularly promising inhibitors of HeLa and Caco-2 cell proliferation. Further study is warranted to identify the bioactive components and the mechanism(s) of action.
Keywords: Australian native plants, Davidsonia pruriens, Davidson’s plum, Anticancer activity, Anti-Proliferative activity, MTS assay, High antioxidant content.
Download paper
Back to Home