In vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of the extract of Sapindus spp.

• The fractions showed antitumor activity against breast cancer cells in vitro.
• Extract fraction II and IV showed antitumor effects in vivo.
• The isolated fractions had no obvious effect on the immunity of mice.
• Fractions could induce apoptosis of tumor cells through, activating Bax and inhibiting Bcl-2.

This study evaluated the antitumor effect of some fractions extracted from Sapindus spp. on breast cancer. Four water-extracted fractions (I, II, III, IV) were isolated from the pericarp of Sapindus spp. using X-5 and AB-8 macroporous resin columns and MCI gel column. The in vitro effect was determined using the MTT assay. Our results indicated that fractions I-IV did not exhibit significant cytotoxic effects towards the normal cell MDA-kb2; Fraction II and IV inhibited the growth of MCF-7 (estrogen receptor positive), MDA-MB-231 (estrogen receptor negative), and MDA-MB-435 s human breast cancer cell lines; of these, MDA-MB-435 s cell line was the most sensitive, and the IC50 of Fraction II and IV against this cell line were 33.11 and 30.06 µg/mL, respectively. In the in vivo experiment, Fraction II and IV showed a strong antitumor effect at a dose of 162.5 mg/kg/d, with inhibition rate of 40.43% and 38.77%. Fraction II and IV also induced apoptosis of tumor cells, activations of Bax (Fraction II) and inhibition of Bcl-2 (Fraction II and IV). Our results underscore the pharmacological potential of Sapindus spp. extracts.

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