Antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of Peganum harmala L. seed extracts on gastric adenocarcinoma

Introduction: Gastric cancer treatment remains challenging due to side effects and limited options. This study investigated Peganum harmala L., a traditional medicinal plant with anticancer alkaloids, by evaluating its crude extract and fractions for antiproliferative, apoptotic, and cell cycle effects on human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells. Methods: Fractionation of the crude hydroalcoholic extract was done using solvents of varying polarity (chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and n-hexane). Antiproliferative effects were assessed via MTT assay at five concentrations (0-200 µg/mL) on AGS and human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. Apoptosis and cell cycle were conducted via flow cytometric technique after 48 h treatment by annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide binding and propidium iodide intercalation into nuclear DNA, respectively. Results: The crude extract and three fractions (chloroform, n-butanol, ethyl acetate) showed selective cytotoxicity against AGS cells versus HDFs (P