Investigation of Bioactivity of Estragole Isolated from Basil Plant on Brain Cancer Cell Lines Using Nuclear Method

Abstract

Background: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in studies investigating the potential use of plant-origin products in the treatment and diagnosis of different types of cancer.

Methods: In this study, Estragole (EST) was isolated from basil leaves via ethanolic extraction using an 80% ethanol concentration. The isolation process was performed using the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method. The EST isolated from the basil plant was radiolabeled with ¹³¹I using the iodogen method. Quality control studies of the radiolabeled EST (¹³¹IEST) were carried out by using Thin Layer Radio Chromatography (TLRC). Next, in vitro cell, culture studies were done to investigate the bio-affinity of plant-originated EST labeled with ¹³¹I on human medulloblastoma (DAOY) and human glioblastoma-astrocytoma (U-87 MG) cell lines. Finally, the cytotoxicity of EST was determined, and cell uptake of ¹³¹I-EST was investigated on cancer cell lines by incorporation studies.

Results: As a result of these studies, it has been shown that ¹³¹I-EST has a significant uptake on the brain cells.

Conclusion: This result is very satisfying, and it has encouraged us to do in vivo studies for the molecule in the future.

Keywords: Basil plant; estragole (EST); estragole radiolabeled with ¹³¹I (¹³¹I-EST); human glioblastoma-astrocytoma (U87-MG); human medulloblastoma (DAOY); iodine-131 (¹³¹I).