In vitro antifungal, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of Rumex abyssinicus rhizome extract and bioassay-guided isolation of cytotoxic compounds from Rumex abyssinicus

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Rumex abyssinicus showed strong cytotoxicity against HeLa cells (IC₅₀ = 22.25 μg/mL) and weak cytotoxicity against PC3 and BJ cells with percent inhibition of 58.6, 25.8 and 29.7% at 30.0 μg/mL. It showed moderate antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger with a percent growth inhibition of 55.5% at 3000 µg/mL. It also strongly inhibited oxidative burst with IC₅₀ value of 24.8 μg/mL. DCM (100%) and DCM: EtOAc (1:1) fractions showed strong cytotoxicity against HeLa cells, whilst pet ether: DCM (1:1) fraction showed strong cytotoxicity against PC3 cells with IC₅₀ values of 29.3, 26.3 and 24.3 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the DCM: EtOAc (1:1) fraction inhibited ROS production with IC₅₀ value of 18.8 μg/mL. Cytotoxic fractions afforded chrysophanol (1), physicon (2), emodin (3), citreorosein (4) and β-sitosterol (5). Among the isolated compounds, emodin (3) showed strong cytotoxicity against HeLa cells, whilst chrysphanol (1) and physicon (2) showed strong cytotoxicity against PC3 cells with IC₅₀ values of 8.94, 22.5, and 28.5 µM, respectively. In addition, emodin (3) and citreorosein (4) showed strong inhibition against ROS production with an IC₅₀ value of 16.2 and 38.2 μg/mL. The findings of this study suggest R. abyssinicus as a good candidate for cancer and inflammation management.  

KEY WORDS: Polygonaceae, Rumex abyssinicu Jacq., Cytotoxic, Antifungal, Anti-Inflammatory, Reactive oxygen species

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2022, 36(4), 879-892.                                                              

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v36i4.13