Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. Leaf ethanolic extract exerts selective anticancer activity through ROS-induced apoptotic cell death in human cancer cell lines.

The leaves of Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. (K. pinnata), a succulent plant native to tropical regions, are used as a medicinal alternative against cancer in several countries worldwide; however, its therapeutic potential to fight cancer has been little addressed. In this study, we analyzed the phytochemical content, antioxidant capacity, and selectivity of K. pinnata leaf ethanolic extract against different human cancer cell lines in vitro. This study subjected the ethanolic extract to enzymatic assays to quantify the phytochemical content (phenolics, flavonoids, and anthraquinones) and its radical scavenging and iron-reducing capacities. Also, the phytoconstituents and major phenolic compounds present in the extract's subfractions were identified by GC-MS, HPLC, and NMR. Human cancer (MCF-7, PC-3, HT-29) and normal colon (CoN) cell lines were treated with different concentrations of K. pinnata leaf ethanolic extract, and the changes in cell proliferation (sulforhodamine B assay), caspases activity (FITC-VAD-FMK reporter), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, rhodamine 123 assay), chromatin condensation/fragmentation (Hoechst 33342 stain), and ROS generation (DCFH2 probe assay) were assessed. The results showed that the K. pinnata leaf ethanolic extract is rich in phytoconstituents with therapeutic potential, including phenols (quercetin and kaempferol), flavonoids, fatty acid esters (34.6% of the total composition), 1- triacontanol and sterols (ergosterol and stigmasterol, 15.4% of the total composition); however, it presents a poor content of antioxidant molecules (IC50 = 27.6 mg/mL for H2O2 scavenging activity vs. 2.86 mg/mL in the case of Trolox). Notably, the extract inhibited cell proliferation and reduced MMP in all human cell lines tested but showed selectivity for HT-29 colon cancer cells compared to CoN normal cells (SI = 8.4). Furthermore, ROS generation, caspase activity, and chromatin condensation/fragmentation were augmented significantly in cancer-derived cell lines, indicating a selective cytotoxic effect. These findings reveal that the K. pinnata leaf ethanolic extract contains several bioactive molecules with therapeutic potential, capable of displaying selective cytotoxicity in different human cancer cell lines.

Faundes-Gandolfo N ，Jara-Gutiérrez C ，Párraga M ，Montenegro I ，Vera W ，Escobar M ，Madrid A ，Valenzuela-Valderrama M ，Villena J ... -  《BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies》

Anticancer property of Bryophyllum pinnata (Lam.) Oken. leaf on human cervical cancer cells.

Mahata S ，Maru S ，Shukla S ，Pandey A ，Mugesh G ，Das BC ，Bharti AC ... -  《BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine》

Biological activities of leaf extracts from selected Kalanchoe species and their relationship with bufadienolides content.

Stefanowicz-Hajduk J ，Hering A ，Gucwa M ，Hałasa R ，Soluch A ，Kowalczyk M ，Stochmal A ，Ochocka R ... -  《-》

Wound healing potential of ethanolic extract of Kalanchoe pinnata Lam. leaf--a preliminary study.

Nayak BS ，Marshall JR ，Isitor G 《INDIAN JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY》

Inhibitory Effects of Hydroethanolic Leaf Extracts of Kalanchoe brasiliensis and Kalanchoe pinnata (Crassulaceae) against Local Effects Induced by Bothrops jararaca Snake Venom.

Fernandes JM ，Félix-Silva J ，da Cunha LM ，Gomes JA ，Siqueira EM ，Gimenes LP ，Lopes NP ，Soares LA ，Fernandes-Pedrosa MF ，Zucolotto SM ... -  《PLoS One》