In Vitro Assessment of Efficacy and Cytotoxicity of Prunus africana Extracts on Prostate Cancer C4-2 Cells

Abstract

Phenolic compounds are products of secondary plant metabolism known for their biological activity including their antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, stimulant, anti- carcinogenic, and aphrodisiac properties. The main objective of this study was to assess the potency/cytotoxic effects of Prunus africana extracts on prostate cancer cells in vitro. Using different concentrations of P. africana extracts, prostate cancer C4-2 cells, a hormonally insensitive subline of LNCaP cells, were treated in a proliferation assay. A concentration dependent inhibition of cell growth in cells treated with P. africana bark and root extracts was present from days 1 through 3 of incubation, with the methanol extract of the bark showing the strongest effect. Compared to other plant parts, leaf extracts were significantly less cytotoxic at the same concentrations. As C4-2 cells are hormonally insensitive and designed to mimic advanced prostate cancer, crude extracts of P. africana are a possible treatment option, not only for hormone sensitive prostate cancer, but also advanced, hormonally insensitive prostate cancer.