Antioxidant, cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of Pistacia lentiscus (Anacardiaceae) leaf and fruit extracts

IntroductionPistacia lentiscus (Anacardiaceae) is used in Algeria for the treatment of inflammation, burns and gastrointestinal complaints. The present work was designed to establish the rational for the medical use of P. lentiscus, especially to determine the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective and anticancer activities of leaf and fruit extracts and their fractions.MethodsThe antioxidant activity was assessed using the ORAC test, and the cytoprotective effect on H2O2-induced oxidative stress was also investigated. Anti-inflammatory activity was examined by measuring the secretion of interleukin-1β by macrophages exposed to ATP or H2O2. The anticancer potential of the crude extracts against melanoma (B16F10) and mammary (EMT6) cell lines was equally evaluated. UPLC–MS analysis was carried out for compound identification.ResultsThe crude extracts of leaf and fruit exhibited strong antioxidant activity in the ORAC assay and showed significant cytoprotective effect with maximum protection at 100 μg/mL increasing cell viability by 108.25 ± 1.73 and 104.13 ± 0.97%, respectively. Fractions obtained from fruit extracts were ineffective, while the hydro-alcoholic-eluted fraction 3 of leaf displayed a significant cytoprotective effect. Leaf extract (100 μg/mL) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity, compared to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Moreover, leaf and fruit extracts inhibited the growth of B16F10 cells (IC50 = 56.40 and 58.04 μg/mL, respectively). Spectral analysis allowed the identification of six flavonol glycosides and five phenolic acids.ConclusionResults obtained in this study indicate that P. lentiscus extracts exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, in accordance with the traditional uses of the plant.