In Vitro Antiproliferative Activity Of Amaryllidaceae Species Against The K562 Human Leukaemia Cell Line

Abstract

Acute lymphocytic leukaemia is the most common leukemic cancer reported in children. Chemotherapy is the preferred treatment even though it continues to pose negative side effects of toxicity. Medicinal plants are reported to provide alternative treatment with lower toxicity levels. The three Amaryllidaceae species; Crinum bulbispermum, Boophone disticha, and Amaryllis belladonna Linnaeus have been reported for their anti-leukemic properties. These claims, however, lack supporting scientific data. The study aimed to investigate the anti-proliferative activity of the three Amaryllidaceae species against the human K562 leukaemia cells, as well as their phytochemical composition. The plants’ roots, bulbs and leaves were extracted with water, and sequentially with selected organic solvents. Cell antiproliferation was investigated using the SRB assay. Thin Layer Chromatography was performed to compare chemical profiles of different plant parts, and of plant samples collected fromdifferent geographic areas. Most plant parts tested positive for terpenoids and flavonoids. Only the bulbs contained phytosterols and alkaloids. Plant samples of C. bulbispermum obtained from two geographic areas had similar chemical profiles. Water bulb extract of C. bulbispermum and B. disticha showed over 70% cell growth inhibition at concentration of 10mg/ml, while their methanol extracts showed over 50% cell growth inhibition at 100mg/ml and 10mg/ml.Methanol root extract of A. belladonna L exhibited 100% cell growth inhibition at the concentration of 50mg/ml and over 80% at 25mg/ml concentration. In general, the polar extracts exhibited highest activity. The cell antiproliferation results obtained in this study support the use of the selected Amaryllidaceae species to treat leukemia as currently practiced in traditionalmedicine. The consistency of the constituents of the species, despite of their collection points, could enable standardization of traditionalmedicines.