Phytochemical characterization and evaluation of the antiproliferative activity of Chelidonium majus extract in tumor cell models

Cancer is one of the main challenges of contemporary medicine, determining the need to identify new bioactive molecules with therapeutic potential. In this context, natural plant-derived compounds are an important source for discovering and developing antitumor agents because of their structural diversity and multiple biological activities. Chelidonium majus (CM), known as celandine, is a medicinal species rich in bioactive compounds, especially alkaloids, with reported pharmacological effects, including on cellular processes involved in carcinogenesis.

This study aimed to characterize the composition of Chelidonium majus extract and evaluate its cytotoxic and antitumor effects in human cell models. We investigated the extract's biological activity using the tumor cell lines HepG-2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) and LoVo (colorectal adenocarcinoma), as well as the non-tumor cell line HUVEC (human endothelial cells). Cisplatin (CisPt) served as the reference agent. Cells were treated with different concentrations of CM extract for 24 and 48 hours, and cell viability was evaluated quantitatively.

CM extract treatment significantly reduced tumor cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. At 1:8 dilution, cell viability was reduced to approximately 42%, compared to 58% in the case of CisPt, while the effect on HUVEC cells was reduced. These data indicate a differential cytotoxic profile of the CM extract, with a possible selectivity for tumor cells.

Overall, the results demonstrate the biological potential of Chelidonium majus extract as a source of compounds with antitumor activity and support further investigation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved. Characterizing these mechanisms could help evaluate natural compounds as potential therapeutic agents or adjuvants to conventional antineoplastic treatments.