The Effect of Xanthium strumarium Root Extracts on Growth Inhibition of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer SK-OV-3 Cell Line: A Metabolomics-Based Study

Background: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a deadly gynecological cancer among women worldwide. Ministering ovarian cancer with classic chemotherapy medications can cause various side effects. Thus, in recent years, the anticancer potential of medicinal plants has been noticed in complementary cancer treatment due to their high efficacy and low toxicity. The anti-proliferative potential of Xanthium strumarium leaf and seed extract against several cancer cell lines was reported; however, there is no report on the effect of its root so far. Objectives: In this study, the antitumor effect of X. strumarium root extract was evaluated on the SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cell line, and metabolic alterations were identified. Methods: Cancer cells were cultured and ministered with different concentrations of ethanolic root extract. The antitumor effect of the root extract was determined by MTT assay, and cell metabolites was extracted. Finally, the metabolome profile was characterized and analyzed by 1H NMR-based metabolomics. Results: The IC50 value of the root extract of X. Strumarium was 30 µg/mL after 48 hours, which exhibited anticancer activity against SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cells. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthesis, glycerolipid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and biotin metabolism were the most affected metabolic pathways involved in the growth inhibition of cancer cells. Conclusions: In the current study, the ethanolic root extract of X. Strumarium reveals antitumor activity against SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cells and could affect vital metabolic pathways.