Cytotoxic activity of Schinus molle L. berries and leaves

Schinus molle is a perennial tree commonly known as "Pirul" in Mexico. This aromatic plant belongs to the Anacardiaceae family and the antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal and cytotoxic activities of its bioactive essential oils have been investigated. Locally, the plant is mainly used as an analgesic, antiseptic, antibacterial, purgative, and diuretic agent. In the study, the plant, which is generally grown as an ornamental plant on the Mediterranean coasts of Turkey, was evaluated in terms of its cytotoxic properties based on its secondary metabolites. Raw and ripe fruits, together with the plant's leaves, were collected and extracted using different solvents. Both 70% methanol and water extracts of leaves, ripe fruits, and raw fruits were prepared. The 6 different extracts obtained were tested in cell lines of humans' most common cancer types (Du-145 prostate cancer, CaCo-2 colon cancer, and MCF-7 breast cancer). As a result, methanol extracts prepared from the ripe fruits of the plant decreased the viability of three different cancer cells, especially MCF-7 and Du-145 cell lines, at low concentrations below 50%. Especially in the MCF-7 cell line, the viability at 15 µg/mL was calculated as 46.03±1.19%. While the cell line with the most minor effect of the extracts was CaCo-2, the extracts with the most negligible antiproliferative effect were the water extracts of the leaves, raw, and ripe fruits.