Evaluation of anti proliferative properties of selected species of Caralluma and Boucerosia on skin cancer cell lines

The aim of the present work was designed to study the effects of selected plant extracts of Caralluma and Boucerosia on cancer apoptotic induction. The present study was carried out in four species of Caralluma R.Br. such as Caralluma adscendens (Roxb.) R. Brown var. attenuata (Wight) Grav. & Mayur. (CAA), Caralluma adscendens (Roxb.) R. Brown var. fimbriata (Wall.) Gravely & Mayur. (CAF), Caralluma stalagmifera C.E.C. Fisch. (CS) and Caralluma stalagmifera C.E.C. Fisch. var. longipetala Karupp. & Pull. (CSL) and as well as two species of Boucerosia Wight & Arn. such as Boucerosia lasiantha Wight. (BL) and Boucerosia umbellata (Haw.) Wight & Arn. (BU). The cytotoxicity efficacy was evaluated by MTT assay on A375 human malignant melanoma and A431 human skin cancer cells. Cell viability was demonstrated by the inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50). A dose dependent increase of cell growth inhibition A375 melanoma cells, A431 skin cancer cells was observed, when treated with different concentrations of methanolic extracts (1 μg/ml, 5 μg/ml, 10 μg/ml, 25 μg/ml, 50 μg/ml, 75 μg/ml, 100 μg/ml). The plant extracts was shown to be effective for anti-proliferation and induction of apoptosis cell death in skin cancer cells. Therefore, mechanisms underlying the cell death and its potential use for treatment of skin cancer will be further studied.