Wild Cherry Prunus microcarpa: Phytochemical Characterization by LCESI MS/MS Technique and its Cytotoxicity, and Pro-apoptotic Actions.

Abstract

Nutraceuticals and natural products constitute nearly 50% of all cancer treatments due to their maximum efficiency and reduced side effects compared to synthetic chemicals. Thus, the present work investigates the anti-proliferative and apoptotic-stimulating effects of methanolic extracts of wild Prunus microcarpa fruits (MEPMF) and stems (MEPMS) and their phytochemical profiles. The cytotoxicity and pro-apoptotic effects (using MTT and flow cytometry assays) of MEPMF and MEPMS against U-87 MG, PC3, MCF-7, and HT-29 cells and normal human embryonic lung fibroblast cell (WI-38) were analyzed. The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was established to determine some phyto-constituents of extracts. Thirty-four chemical compounds were found in MEPMF and MEPMS, including quinic acid (67.218 mg/g extract) and epicatechin (70.547 mg/g extracts) as the most common compounds, respectively. MEPMF exhibited a higher selectivity index and better inhibitory potentials, IC₅₀: 96.16, 102.35, and 214.94 µg/mL against HT-29, MCF-7 cells, and U-87MG cells, respectively, except for PC-3 cells compared to MEPMS. The pro-apoptotic actions of MEPMF were significantly higher on the U-87MG and HT-29 cancer cells compared to other cells and MEPMS. In contrast, MCF-7 and HT-29 cells showed reduced direct sensitivity to MEPMF and MEPMS treatments, respectively. Both extracts showed a non-toxic/safe effect on WI-38 cells and a noticeable cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic potential against four human cancer cells, with IC₅₀ ordering list HT-29 < MCF-7 < PC-3 < U-87MG. The present determined phytochemical and bioactivities provoke future molecular isolation and identification as a viable source for a potent pharmaceutical formulation.