Exploring Antitumor Activities of Lectin Isolated and Purified from Terminalia catappa (TC) Seeds

A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells. While tumors can be harmless, some grow uncontrollably and may spread to other parts of the body a condition called cancer. Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, largely due to uncontrolled cell proliferation, late-stage diagnosis, and the limitations of current therapies, which are often toxic to healthy tissues. Natural compounds, particularly plant- derived lectins, have gained attention for their potential anticancer properties. Terminalia catappa is a medicinal plant traditionally valued for its antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects, and various parts of the plant have been investigated for therapeutic applications. In this study, a lectin isolated from Terminalia catappa seeds was purified using gel filtration and affinity chromatography. Hemagglutination activity was detected against blood group B erythrocytes. The purified Terminalia catappa seeds lectin was evaluated for cytotoxic and growth-inhibitory effects against two human cancer cell lines A-498 (renal carcinoma) and A-549 (lung adenocarcinoma) using the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Preliminary results revealed that Terminalia catappa seeds lectin exhibited weak antitumor activity against A-498 and A-549 cells within the tested concentration range. Further studies, including testing at lower concentrations, determining IC₅₀ values, and exploring potential synergistic effects and mechanisms of action, are recommended to better understand their biological significance.