Cytotoxic effects of Anagallis arvensis and Anagallis foemina in neuronal and colonic adenocarcinoma cell lines

Anagallis arvensis L. and Anagallis foemina Mill. (Primulaceae) have been used in Navarra (Spain) as wound healing remedies within a context of traditional medicine. The species have previously demonstrated antimicrobial and COX-inhibiting properties. Cytotoxic effects of the plants have never been established though they are popularly known to be toxic at high doses and/or long term oral administration. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in PC12 and DHD/K12PROb cells using spectrophotometric methods such as the MTT and LDH assays. Both plants reduced cell survival and induced cell damage (LDH release) in a dose-dependent manner, PC12 cells being more sensitive to the extracts than DHD/K12PROb cells. Methanol extracts were significantly more cytotoxic and doses over 80 μg/ml reduced cell survival above 50%. Results suggest that these plants may be responsible for the toxic effects that have been described in traditional medicine.