Cytotoxic Activity of Schinus molle L. Berries and Leaves ^†

Abstract

Schinus molle is a perennial tree commonly known as “Pirul” in Mexico. This aromatic plant belongs to the Anacardiaceae family and the antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal and cytotoxic activities of its bioactive essential oils have been previously investigated. Locally, the plant is mainly used as an analgesic, antiseptic, antibacterial, purgative and diuretic agent. In this study, the plant, which is generally grown as an ornamental plant on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, was evaluated in terms of its cytotoxic properties based on its secondary metabolites. Raw and ripe fruits, together with the plant’s leaves, were collected and extracted using different solvents. Both 70% methanol and water extracts of leaves, ripe fruits and raw fruits were prepared. The six different extracts obtained were tested in cell lines of humans’ most common cancer types (Du-145 prostate cancer, CaCo-2 colon cancer and MCF-7 breast cancer). As a result, methanol extracts prepared from the ripe fruits of the plant decreased the viability of three different cancer cells, especially MCF-7 and Du-145 cell lines, at low concentrations below 50%. Particularly in the MCF-7 cell line, the viability at 15 µg/mL was calculated as 46.03 ± 1.19%. While the cell line which was least effected by the extracts was CaCo-2, the extracts with the most negligible antiproliferative effect were the water extracts of the leaves and the raw and ripe fruits.