Anti-ROS and Anticancer Potential of Rhizomes and a Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid From Chloroform Fraction of Curcuma wallichii as a Bioactive Compound

Abstract

Background and Aim: Cancer incidence and mortality rates remain high despite significant advancements in treatment strategies. This study explores the in vitro anti-ROS activities, in silico anticancer potential of the isolated compound, and in vivo cytotoxicity of chloroform fraction of Curcuma wallichii (CHCW), which is known for diverse pharmacological properties.

Experimental Procedure: The anti-ROS properties were investigated using various in vitro assay techniques, including total antioxidant capacity, ferrous reducing power, DPPH scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and lipid peroxidation inhibition. Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cell–induced tumor-bearing mice were used to evaluate the in vivo anticancer potential of the fraction. An in silico study was conducted using a computer-aided model with the P⁵³ protein.

Key Results: The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of a wide variety of plant metabolites. The crude methanolic extract and CHCW exhibited high phenolic and flavonoid content with powerful antioxidant activity. Moreover, CHCW and aqueous fraction showed significant DPPH radical scavenging activity with IC₅₀ values of 15.09 and 19.83 μg/mL, respectively. Both extracts demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity in the brain lipid peroxidation assay with IC₅₀ values of 46.86 and 53.85 μg/mL. Additionally, CHCW resulted in significant tumor growth inhibition of 72.69% and 36.70% at doses of 10 mg and 5 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The isolated methyl linoleate yielded a docking score of −4.6 kcal/mol, suggesting potential anticancer activity. The toxicological study indicated that the compound exhibited no side effects.

Conclusions and Implications: The CHCW fraction exhibited potent anti-ROS and tumor cytotoxicity in all assays performed. Therefore, C. wallichii might be a promising source for the development of cancer therapeutics.