Exploring the Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Properties of Four Medicinal Plants from Veracruz, Mexico for Urinary and Prostate Health

Background: C. scaber, P. aequale, S. oleraceus and S. racemosa play a vital role in traditional medicine in Veracruz, Mexico, known for their effectiveness in treating a wide range of health issues. Particularly noteworthy is their significant use in traditional medicine in Mexico for addressing urinary and prostate-related ailments. Objectives: The current study assesses the antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties of these species on the androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3. Materials and Methods: Methanolic and aqueous extracts of the selected plants’ parts were prepared and their chemical profiles were evaluated using 1H-RMN. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH and FRAP methods. The total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The antiproliferative activity on PC-3 and HPrEC cells was evaluated by the MTT method. Results: S. racemosa showed the highest antioxidant activity (84.90% radical scavenging activity), attributed to the presence of flavonoids. However, the methanol extract of P. aequale had a better effect on the proliferation of PC-3 cells with an IC50 of 251.6 µg/mL, additionally, it showed cytotoxicity at high concentrations (above 500 µg/mL). The antiproliferative and cytotoxic effect observed is not associated with antioxidant activity or the presence of alkaloids. However, cytotoxicity also occurred in control cells (HPrEC) with an IC50 of 23.98 µg/mL. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of P. aequale showed the highest antiproliferative activity against PC-3 cell line, an effect not related to its antioxidant activity and attributed to the presence of aliphatic, aromatics and aldehydes compounds identified by 1H-NMR in the extracts.