Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities of the Methanol Extracts of Caralluma Munbyana Root and Aerial Parts

ABSTRACT Plants and their parts have been used medicinally for years, and caralluma is only one example of this established tradition. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the anticancer and antioxidant properties of these root extracts of Caralluma munbyana ( C. munbyana ) in comparison with those obtained from aerial parts. The antioxidant potential of C. munbyana roots and aerial parts was evaluated via the DPPH method, and the results indicated a trend toward increased potency of the aerial extract. The IC50 value, representing the concentration required to inhibit 50% of the DPPH radical, was lower for the aerial part extract (121.19 ± 1.43 µg/mL) than for the root extract (97.12 ± 3.47 µg/mL). An investigation into the cytotoxic effects on MCF‐7 and A549 cells revealed surprisingly similar activities between the root extracts and aerial extracts. Moreover, the gene expression of aerial parts and root extracts significantly changed, with caspase and Bax mRNA levels being upregulated and the expression of antiapoptotic genes (Bcl‐xL and Bcl‐2) being suppressed. In summary, this investigation highlights the many medicinal properties of C. munbyana roots and aerial parts, advancing our knowledge of how plant‐derived extracts might reduce disease risk.