Apoptotic-antiproliferative activity of Salix mucronata and Triticum spelta against human breast, lung, and liver cancer cells: A comparative study with other plant extracts containing phenolics and flavonoids.

• Natural anticancer phytochemical compounds derived from plant materials have recently been used as a beginning point for drug discovery. • Salix mucronata and Triticum spelta have high direct antioxidant activities and highest apoptotic effect. • It could be attributed to their highest potential in suppressing NF-κB-mediated pro-oxidant and oncogene activation and enhancing transcriptional activation of NF-E2-related factor (Nrf2) mediated stimulation of antioxidant mediators. • Salix mucronata and Triticum spelta edible extracts represent promising antioxidant-dependent pro-apoptotic agents for eradicating different types of cancer cells. It has been known that free radical generation is associated with cancer; therefore, finding an efficient antioxidant therapy is highly mandated. It was discovered that some plants were very effective in treating diseases caused by oxidative stress; namely, Salix mucronata, Triticum spelta, Mentha, Apium graveolens, Coriandrum sativum, Cuminum cyminum, Senna alexandrina, Thymus vulgaris, Anethum graveolens, and Santalum album. Their components with functional properties (phenolic and flavonoids) were identified, along with their ability to scavenge radicals of nitrogen and oxygen, reduce power, and chelate metals. Accordingly, human lung (A549), breast (MDA-MB 231), and liver (Huh7) cancer cells were used to assess the antioxidant-mediated antiproliferative activity of these substances. To evaluate the apoptotic activity of previous plants in the treatment of cancer cells, flow cytometry analysis and caspase activity were employed. Moreover, redox-sensitive factors' fold changes in transcriptional activation and gene expression (nuclear factor kappa (NF-κ) B and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), respectively) were evaluated. Salix mucronata and Triticum spelta demonstrated the highest apoptosis-mediated antiproliferative effect. Their extracts were shown to be enriched with active polyphenolic chemicals (vanillic acid, gallic acid, protochateuic acid, and pyrochatechol) according to HPLC analysis, which may be responsible for their strong antiproliferative properties. Hence, further research employing an animal model is mandatory to fully understand these plant extracts, which provide a potential natural surrogate therapy for apoptosis-mediated cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]