In vitro study on anticancer effect of Dodder grown on fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and camelthorn (Alhagi maorurum) against human cancer cells lines

Introduction: The parasitic plant dodder has specific metabolites that sometimes have anti-cancer properties. Due to the nature of this plant, the profile of metabolites in this plant is greatly affected by the host plant, which can enhance its anti-cancer properties. In the present study, Cuscuta was grown on fennel and camelthorn hosts. The extracts from dodder were applied to breast and colorectal cancer cell lines, and their cytotoxic properties were evaluated.Methods: HPLC identified compounds of phenolic acids and flavonoids in cuscuta grown on camelthorn and fennel hosts. The ethanolic extracts from Cuscuta were applied to the colorectal cancer (HT-29) and breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines, and their cytotoxic properties were evaluated. The cytotoxic activity of the extracts was performed by 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. These extracts were tested under comparable conditions at different concentrations (100, 200, 300, and 400 mu g/ml).Results: All extracts showed dose-dependent cytotoxic activity on both cell lines. Both extracts significantly inhibit the proliferation of cancer cell lines. According to the results, camelthorn extract has more lethality than fennel, and the inhibitory capacity of fennel extract is relatively more minor in both cases. The IC50 value of dodder growm on camelthorn ethanolic extract on (HT-29) and (MDA-MB-231) in 72 hours was 27.73 and 39.80 mu g/ml, respectively, whereas the IC50 value of dodder growm on fennel ethanolic extract on (HT-29) and (MDA-MB-231) in 72 hours was 53.51 and 206 mu g/ml. The greater cytotoxicity of dodder extract on camelthorn is probably due to the higher anti-cancer properties than fennel.Conclusion: It seems that applying dodder extract grown on medicinal hosts is a natural and inexpensive approach to extracting and diversifying the medicinal properties of various medicinal plants, including fennel and camelthorn.