Cytotoxic and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Two Medicinal Plant Recipes Decoctions, acphyx and chryfa, Used in Traditional Medicine of Burkina Faso

Aims: Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide and in Burkina Faso. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties of ACPHYX and CHRYFA, two medicinal plant recipes used against inflammatory diseases in traditional medicine in Burkina Faso.

Study Design: The anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activity on prostate and cervical cancer cells of a recipe orients on its possible anti-cancer properties. Then would help to realize ethnopharmacological evidence study for its validation or not as a phytomedicine against prostate or cervical cancer.

Place and Duration of Study: The studies were carried out in the laboratories of the Pietro Anignoni Biomolecular Research Center (CERBA) and the Health Sciences Research Institute (IRSS/CNRST) from December 2021 to March 2023 in Burkina Faso.

Methodology: An aqueous decoction of ACPHYX recipe and CHRYFA recipe, were made. The phytochemical groups of interest and the phenolic compound content of the extracts were determined. The antioxidant test was performed by the DPPH and FRAP methods. The cytotoxic activity on cancer cells was evaluated by the MTT test. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by pro-inflammatory enzyme inhibition tests (15-lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenases), anti-edema and antihistamine tests.

Results: ACPHYX decoction showed the best antioxidant activity by DPPH method (IC50 of 12.80 ± 0.5μg/mL). The chelation capacity evaluated by FRAP method was also better with ACPHYX decoction (1.94 ± 0.296 mmol EAA/g). ACPHYX decoction also showed the best cytotoxic activity on prostate cancer DU145 cells (175.5 ± 3.79 μg/mL) and cervical cancer HeLa cells (302.5 ± 64.36 μg/mL). In vitro, the extracts inhibited 60% edema at 400 mg/kg dose and 79.32% scratching inhibition at 600 mg/kg dose.

Conclusion: The strongest anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo was observed with ACPHYX extract. ACPHYX recipe compared to CHRYFA showed better cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties. Its use could help to treat tumor and inflammatory conditions through further studies.