فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Vitellaria paradoxa (shea tree) is widely used in traditional medicine in Nigeria for its antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. However, limited studies have investigated its phytochemical composition and biological activity against breast cancer. This study evaluated the phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity, and anticancer potential of V. paradoxa methanol stem-bark extract on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and phenolics. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 342.7 mg GAE/g and 87.96 mg RE/g, respectively. Antioxidant activity, assessed using DPPH and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays, demonstrated strong free radical inhibition, with an IC50 of 18.72 µg/mL for DPPH and 21.65 µg/mL for hydrogen peroxide, comparable to Vitamin C. The MTT cytotoxicity assay showed that the extract exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells, with an IC50 of 22.14 µg/mL, suggesting significant anticancer potential. GC-MS analysis identified key bioactive compounds, including Vitamin E, β-sitosterol, quercetin, and betulinic acid, which are known for their antioxidant and anticancer properties. These findings suggest that V. paradoxa stem-bark extract possesses potent antioxidant and anticancer activity, supporting its potential application in cancer therapy. Further in vivo studies and formulation optimization are recommended to validate its therapeutic efficacy.