In vitro antioxidant, cytotoxic, apoptotic, and anti-migratory effects of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Paronychia kurdica on pancreatic cancer cells
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies due to rapid metastasis and treatment resistance, with high post-diagnosis metastasis risk and low five-year survival rates. This study investigated the phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity, and biological effects of Paronychia kurdica extracts on pancreatic cancer cells. The methanolic (MeOH) extract exhibited higher total phenolic (26.39 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (21.52 mg QE/g) contents than the aqueous extract and demonstrated moderate antioxidant effect according to DPPH and FRAP assays. LC–MS analysis identified chlorogenic acid, rutin, ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid in both extracts, with higher rutin levels in the MeOH extract. Both extracts showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity on MIA PaCa-2 cells (IC₅₀: MeOH 411.4 µg/mL, aqueous 385.5 µg/mL). Scratch assays indicated that the MeOH extract inhibited cell migration by 50.56–70.14%. Apoptotic mechanisms were confirmed by qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses, with increased Bax and decreased Bcl-2 expression, particularly in MeOH extract-treated cells. Immunofluorescence revealed apoptotic morphological changes. These findings suggest that P. kurdica extracts possess antioxidant properties along with moderate cytotoxic and anti-migratory effects in pancreatic cancer cells, supporting their potential as a source of bioactive compounds for further pharmacological investigation
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Plant Biochemistry
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Derya Altay
0009-0003-1630-7162
Türkiye
Murat Koç
0000-0002-0829-4571
Türkiye
Sibel Ozdas
0000-0003-4610-2785
Türkiye
İpek Canatar
0000-0001-9448-8112
Türkiye
Publication Date
June 12, 2026
Submission Date
February 1, 2026
Acceptance Date
May 22, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 10