Ailanthus altissima, an invasive plant species, exhibits pharmacological properties, but also some allergic effects on humans. This study aimed to evaluate the potential toxicity of A. altissima leaves, using a complex approach towards different organisms. The ecotoxic impact of a crude extract was investigated on seeds germination and brine shrimp lethality. Cytotoxicity was studied in vitro using non-target (haemolysis, liposomal model, fibroblast), and target (cancer cells) assays. Leaf extract at 1000 µg/mL significantly inhibited wheat and tomato germination, while no significant effects were found on parsley germination. A slight stimulatory effect on wheat and tomato germination was found at 125 µg/mL. In a brine shrimp-test, the extract showed a low toxicity at 24 h post-exposure (LC50 = 951.04 ± 28.26 μg/mL), the toxic effects increasing with the exposure time and extract concentration. Leaf extract caused low hematotoxicity. The extract was biocompatible with human gingival fibroblasts. No anti-proliferative effect was found within the concentration range of 10-500 µg/mL on malignant melanoma (MeWo) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2). In a liposomal model-test, the extract proved to possess low capability to alter the eukaryotic cell-mimicking membranes within the tested concentration range. Given the low to moderate toxicity on tested organisms/cells, the A. altissima autumn leaves may find useful applications.
Keywords: Ailanthus altissima; cancer cells; cytotoxicity; ecotoxicity; germination test; liposome; shrimp lethality assay.