Searsia rhemanniana as a potential anticancer agent: Unveiling mechanisms and therapeutic potential

Abstract

The increasing global burden of chronic diseases such as cancer and the rise of antimicrobial resistance have intensified the search for novel pharmacologically active compounds from natural sources. This study evaluated the biological activities of crude extracts derived from Searsia rhemanniana, focusing on their cytotoxic, anticancer, genotoxic, and antibacterial properties. Extracts from bark, leaves, and roots were prepared using solvents of varying polarity (dichloromethane, methanol, and water) and tested using in vitro models, including DU145 human prostate cancer cells, HeLa cervical cancer cells, and Vero non-cancerous mammalian cells. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that dichloromethane extracts, particularly those derived from bark and root tissues, exhibited the most potent antiproliferative activity. Similarly, DCM bark and root extracts displayed strong activity against HeLa cells, with IC values ranging from approximately 22. The results show that aqueous bark extract, DCM bark extract, and methanolic leaf extract induce significant increases in micronucleus formation, indicating potential genotoxic effects under in vitro conditions. Methanolic extracts demonstrate the strongest antibacterial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus, with IC values ranging from approximately 60–125 g/mL, while Escherichia coli exhibit higher resistance across extracts. Overall, the findings demonstrate that S.rhemanniana possesses diverse bioactive compounds capable of exerting cytotoxic, anticancer, genotoxic, and antibacterial effects in vitro. The strong antiproliferative activity of DCM bark and root extracts highlights the potential of this species as a source of novel plant-derived anticancer agents. However, the detection of genotoxic responses in certain extracts underscores the need for further phytochemical characterization, mechanistic studies, and in vivo safety evaluations.