Title: Characterization and anticancer potential of Withania somnifera fruit bioactives (a native species to Pakistan) using GC-MS, NMR and LC-MS-ESI

Abstract

Introduction: Withania somnifera is a plant with remarkable pharmacological properties. The plant has an impressive profile of medicinal uses in the folk medicine system of several civilizations. Aim: This comprehensive study is aimed to characterize phytochemicals in fruit of W. somnifera and tested for in vitro anticancer potential to find out active candidate in disease prevention and treatment Method: The bioactive components from W. somnifera fruit were extracted with polar and non-polar solvents. Anticancer potential of the isolated bioactive was assessed against different cancer cell lines through MTT assay and Incucytes imaging analysis. The extracts were characterized for secondary metabolites using GC-MS, LCMS-ESI and 1H-NMR techniques. Results: Both freeze-dried and rotary evaporator condensed extracts exhibited anticancer potential against MDA-MB-231, MCF7- SKOV3 and SKBR3 cell lines. The tested extracts have cell growth inhibition potential against mammalian cancer cell line. Hexacosanedioic acid purified from n-hexane extract through HPLC was investigated for its cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell line SKBR3 by using Incucytes imaging analysis. Conclusion: We found that a variety of bioactive compounds existed in this plant. One identified compound that was not investigated for cytotoxicity in previous studies was purified and its application showed cytotoxicity on breast cancer cell lines. A number of bioactive identified from Withania somnifera fruit may have an effective potential for development into chemotherapy drugs