Bioactive Extracts of Ziziphus mauritiana Induces Apoptosis in A549 Human Lung Epithelial Carcinoma Cells through the Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species

Background: In recent years, novel metabolites isolated from botanical sources have been attracted much attention due to their traditional and therapeutic significance. The ethnopharmacological studies suggest that Ziziphus mauritiana is a common remedy against several kinds of ailments. Objective: The current study has evaluated the MeOH extract of Ziziphus mauritiana leaves (ZME) through physicochemical, phytochemical, and chromatographic fingerprinting analysis, which displayed an array of biometabolites of pharmacological significance, including flavonoids. Methods: The extract was further examined for anticancer activities, which revealed promising anticancer properties against human lung epithelial carcinoma cells (A549) and induction of apoptosis impart by ROS. The oxidative stress was evaluated in terms of production and accumulation of cytosolic extent of ROS, whereas anticancer perspective was determined by MTT assay, cell morphology analysis, followed by nuclear condensation for the examination of apoptosis induction. Results: Finding suggests that the MeOH extract of ZME markedly exhibited promising anticancer activity against the A549 lung epithelial carcinoma cell. The ZME was found to be most active in the MTT assay against A549 cells, while it was less toxic to normal cells. The intracellular ROS generation was remarkably induced by ZME, which correlated with the ability of the flavonoid-rich fractions in the MeOH extract to inhibit cell growth and might induce apoptosis. Conclusion: The present study provides useful insight concerning the promising anticancer potential of ZME against A549 lung carcinomas. However, the clinical correlation will be required for its authorization and the discovery of significant and least noxious novel agents against lung carcinomas.