Antiproliferative activity of Moringa oleifera (L.) Lam. and Moringa stenopetala (Bak.) Cufod. leaves extract against selected cancer cells in primary cell culture

Abstract

Abstract Natural compounds possess anti-tumor capabilities for a wide range of cancers. The present study aims to analyze and compare the antiproliferative activity of Moringa oleifera and Moringa stenopetala leaf extracts against anaplastic thyroid carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma cells in primary cell culture. Samples were collected from Arba Minch, Ethiopia. Water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 assay was used to assess the antiproliferative activity of these samples against anaplastic thyroid carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma cells in primary cell culture. Cell number counting was another method used to confirm cell proliferation. The results showed that, in comparison to the control, both Moringa species significantly lowered cancer cell proliferation in a dose-responsive manner. Although Moringa oleifera showed a stronger inhibitory effect compared to Moringa stenopetala , there was no statistically significant difference ( p  > 0.05) in the proliferation of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma cells between the two species. Moringa oleifera extract had a lower IC 50 value in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells, 84.2 µg/ml, than Moringa stenopetala leaf extract, 90.6 µg/ml. Moringa oleifera leaf extract has a lower IC 50 value in lung adenocarcinoma cells, 64.7 µg/ml, than Moringa stenopetala leaf extract, 75.3 µg/ml. In conclusion, the two species have antiproliferative activity on anaplastic thyroid carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma cells in primary cell culture. These findings indicated that both extracts may serve as a basis for future cancer therapeutic applications.