Anti-proliferative Activity of Vitex negundo Leaf Extracts on PA1 Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines

In Ayurveda, Vitex negundo (VN) is used as a drug to manage pain, inflammation, problems related to polycystic ovary disease and the menstrual cycle. The bioactive compounds isolated from this plant exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer and microbicidal properties. The shrub Vitex negundo is known for its role in the modulation of cellular events like apoptosis and cell cycle. There is still a scarcity of data in the literature on the cytotoxic activity of Vitex negundo extracts on ovarian cancer. Hence, in this study, the phytochemical composition, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer activities of leaf extracts were evaluated. The chloroform and methanol fractions exhibited higher phenolic content (161.04 ± 0.02 mg/g GAE and 152.56 ± 0.05 mg/g GAE respectively) as compared to other fractions. The aqueous and petroleum ether fractions exhibited higher flavonoid content (515.27 ± 0.28 mg/g QE and 211.82 ± 0.05 mg/g QE respectively). The acetone and methanol extracts showed significant anti-oxidant capacities. Both leaf extracts of Vitex negundo inhibited PA1 cancer cell growth in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values of 88.01 ± 3.14 and 112.30 ± 1.93 μg/ml respectively, as compared to the standard drug Doxorubicin with IC50 value 2.91 μg/ml (p 0.05, One - Way ANOVA). The Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis allowed us to identify twenty- five bioactive compounds in acetone extract and twenty- two compounds in methanol extract. Therefore, further studies should focus on the isolation of novel compounds, which are more effective and less toxic, and constitute interesting substitutes for the development of anti-cancer drugs.