Induction of apoptosis in HepG2 by Vitex agnus-castus L. leaves extracts and identification of their active chemical constituents by LC-ESI-MS

Conclusions The butanolic fraction has higher contents of secondary metabolites than the defatted methanolic extract. The cytotoxic activities, apoptotic changes, and caspase-3 activation may be due to the presence of these bioactive secondary metabolites (iridoids, flavonoid, and phenolic acids) in these extracts. These results would suggest V. agnus-castus to be used as an adjuvant in cancer therapy.
Source: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease - Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research