Aims: The aim of this study is to explore the antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of aqueous extract from aerial parts of Inula helenium (L.) against human U-87 MG glioma cell line.
Materials and methods: The 3'-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and lactate dehydrogenase assays were used to study antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities against U-87 MG cell after 48 h exposure. In addition, to assess the oxidative effects, total antioxidant capacity and total oxidant status levels were also measured.
Results: Finally, the aqueous extracts displayed antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities at high concentrations tested, particularly at 200 μg/ml, without causing to oxidative stress.
Conclusion: The results strengthen the evidence that I. helenium could be considered a natural resource of potential antitumor agents for brain cancer. In addition, this study is expected to expand the existing information on the anticancer activity of I. helenium and to assist in a more focused design of further research as chemotherapeutic agents.
Keywords: Anticancer activity; Inula helenium; U-87 MG cell line; aqueous extracts; cytotoxicity; oxidative stress.