year 25, Issue 98 (8-2026)
J. Med. Plants 2026, 25(98): 54-64 |
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Research code: ART-3647
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Habeeb H M, Hamad S F, Al-Majmaie S, Salih G S, Murtadeh I A, Anwar Z et al . Phytochemical profiling and in vitro cytotoxic evaluation of alkaloids isolated from Equisetum arvense L. native to northern Iraq against human cancer cell lines. J. Med. Plants 2026; 25 (98) :54-64
URL: http://jmp.ir/article-1-3647-en.html
URL: http://jmp.ir/article-1-3647-en.html
Hadeel M. Habeeb1 
, Sumaya F. Hamad1 , Shaymaa Al-Majmaie *2 
, Ghussun S. Salih1 , Ismail A. Murtadeh1 , Zainab Anwar1 , Ibraheem Hadi3
, Sumaya F. Hamad1 , Shaymaa Al-Majmaie *2 , Ghussun S. Salih1 , Ismail A. Murtadeh1 , Zainab Anwar1 , Ibraheem Hadi3
1- Department of Biology, College of Science for Women, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
2- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Diyala, Diyala, Iraq ,shaymaa@uodiyala.edu.iq
3- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Diyala, Diyala, Iraq
2- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Diyala, Diyala, Iraq ,
3- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Diyala, Diyala, Iraq
Abstract: (9 Views)
Background: Equisetum arvense L. (Horsetail) is a medicinal perennial herb widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. Traditionally utilized for gastrointestinal, renal, and musculoskeletal disorders, its specific alkaloid profile and associated anticancer properties (particularly regarding regional chemotypes) remain understudied. Objective: This study evaluated the phytochemical composition of alkaloids isolated from E. arvense growing in northern Iraq and evaluated their cytotoxic potential against three human cancer cell lines (HePG2, WRL68, and SK-GT2) alongside a normal cell line (REF). Methods: Purified alkaloids were extracted from E. arvense and subjected to qualitative and quantitative chemical profiling. Cytotoxicity was evaluated across a concentration range of 25 to 1600 μg/ml at multiple exposure intervals using standard cell viability assays. Results: Chromatographic analysis identified five distinct alkaloids: hordenine (426.4 μg/g), caulerpin (324.1 μg/g), martensine (139.3 μg/g), isoquinoline (139.1 μg/g), and almazolone (77.6 μg/g). The total alkaloid extract demonstrated concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxicity across all cancerous cell lines (P < 0.05). Following 24 hours of exposure at 1600 μg/ml, maximum growth inhibition was observed in HePG2 (78.90 %) and SK-GT2 (77.40 %) cells, with moderate inhibition in WRL68 cells (39.90 %). Notably, no significant cytotoxic effect was observed against the normal REF cell line. Conclusion: The alkaloid fraction of E. arvense native to northern Iraq exhibits selective cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines while sparing normal cells, supporting its potential as a source for natural lead compounds in oncology drug discovery.
Keywords: Equisetum arvense, Alkaloids, Cytotoxicity, Cancer cell lines, Iraqi flora, Phytochemical profiling
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Medicinal Plants
Received: 2024/04/4 | Accepted: 2026/07/26 | Published: 2026/08/29
Received: 2024/04/4 | Accepted: 2026/07/26 | Published: 2026/08/29
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