One hundred and
fifteen ethanolic extracts prepared from 96 plant species from Palestine
were evaluated for anticancer activity against two prostate cancer cell
lines, PC-3 and LNCaP; and one breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, using
cell proliferation MTT assay and a 96-microwell plate-reader. The
results demonstrated that the studied plants differ significantly in
their activity against test cancer cell lines. The most active plant
species against test cancer cell lines include 0 lumen persicum Mill,
Lyclum europeum, Echallium elalerium L Euphorhia uphorhiaa, Capparis
,spinosa, Ononis sicula, (hiss., Anthems tunictoria , Verbaseun
,Sinuaium, and Neriun oleander L. For PC-3 cell line the most active
plants include Cyclamen persicum Mill, CurOpeum L, Ecballium elaterium
(L.) Rick Euphorbia hicrsolymitana Boiss,Anthemas nmictoria L verbascun
sinuatun L. and nernim oleander L. For Lncap cell line the most active
plants include Cycamen persicum Mill, Verbascum sinuatum L. and apparts
spinrosa L. For MCF 7 cell the most active plant species include
Cyclamen presicum Mill Lycium evropewnv Euphoibia hierosolymuana Ononis
sieula Guss Another importsnt observation was the simulation of PGS cell
line by (-)ine; plants.,'1.6r instance 0(th/cwt./A' itroiliu/,
Ylaittims,vt)tna-christi, fruiticosa, Retema raetam, and I'arietaria
diffusa. These plant species were used in folkloric medicine for many
diseases and disorders. Significantly, stimulation of LNCaP and MCF-7
cell lines was observed also with Ouercus calliprines and Chrysanthemum
coronarium, which are used as popular remedies. Therefore, care must be
taken with respect to the great number of plant extracts that show
stimulation of cancer cells. The results demonstrated that Ether and
Acetone fractions were the most active against the test cell lines.
In addition Diethyl Ether dissolved terpeniods and some alkaloids, some
of diterpenes and sesquiterpenes compounds act as anticancer drugs. Test
cancer cell lines differed significantly in relation to their
susceptibility to different plant extracts used. The most susceptible
test cell line was PC-3, whereas the least susceptible one was L,NCaP.