Antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity of Geraniaceae plant extracts against five tumor cell lines

Aim: To determine the antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities of Geranium and Erodium species against human cancer and noncancer cell lines, respectively. Methods: Twenty-one species of Geranium and Erodium were extracted and screened against cancerous and noncancerous human cell lines. Results: In a dose-response manner, G. glaberrimum, G. asphodeloides, E. brandianum and E. leucanthum were able, with variable potency, to inhibit cellular proliferation. Except for E. brandianum, all extracts induced cellular autophagy in tumor cells with similar levels to that of rapamycin; but, only E. brandianum induced cellular apoptosis, likely through BcI2 and BAX protein expressions. Discussion: This is the first study to report the potential antiproliferative effects of ethanol extracts of several Geraniaceae species. Lay abstract: Several plant species of the genera Geranium and Erodium were extracted and screened against five tumor cell lines for their potential antitumor activities. Out of the tested species, four showed potential antitumor action against all the tumor cells used. Interestingly, they appeared to achieve their antitumor activities by inducing important cellular defense mechanisms called autophagy and apoptosis. The current work is the first to test the antiproliferative potential of these species against different tumor cells.

Automated summary

This study is the first to report the potential antiproliferative effects of ethanol extracts of several Geraniaceae species. Four of the tested species showed potential antitumor action against all the tumor cells used, by inducing cellular defense mechanisms called autophagy and apoptosis.