Apoptosis-inducing effects, cytotoxic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antifungal activity of three extracts from seeds of Pistacia atlantica in the OVCAR3 cancer cell line

Abstract

Three extracts from seeds of natural Pistacia atlantica showed apoptosis-inducing, cytotoxic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antifungal activities. OVCAR3 cancer cell line was used, and MTT assay applied for detecting the cytotoxic activity of methanol, acetone, and chloroform extracts, after exposure of OVCAR3 cancer cell line to concentrations of 1.6, 0.8, 0.4, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05, 0.025 mg/well. The antioxidant activity was estimated using a DPPH test. Standard disc diffusion and microdilution procedures were utilized to assess antibacterial activity. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal biocidal concentration (MBC) were determined. A higher level of antioxidant activity was detected in the methanol extract of P. atlantica seeds when compared with other tested extracts. Extracts showed different results in zone inhibition, all of them have no antifungal potency for Candida albicans except chloroform extract. The results of MIC and MBC of the extracts against microorganisms ranged from 156.25 to 2500 μg/ml. Cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner emerged in the p. atlantica treated OVCAR3 cancer cell line. Compared to untreated controls. Finally, the inhibitory effects of p. atlantica seeds on cancer cell line, bacteria, and fungus act as a therapeutical natural product.