Abstract

Cytotoxic properties of leaf, stem, and root extractions of Amorpha fruticosa were measured on PC-12 adrenal neural cells. Plant parts were processed via Soxhlet extraction method using a methanol solvent. Sterilized extractions of each plant component were applied to 48-hour PC-12 cells in increasing concentrations of 0.25 mg/ mL, 0.5 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mL, 2.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, and 20.0 mg/mL. MTS assays determined cell viability. Data results demonstrated a dose dependent increase in death of the PC-12 cells with increased extraction concentrations. Cells exposed to leaf and root extractions exhibited similar results when compared to the positive controls produced from the addition of either 10 μg/mL cycloheximide or 3% hydrogen peroxide. The study concluded that leaf and root extractions of Amorpha fruticosa provided the greatest potency in their cytotoxicity against PC-12 adrenal cells. These results encourage further exploration of other segments of Amorpha fruticosa, including the plant’s seeds and fruit, in relation to their anti-carcinogenic effects on the PC-12 adrenal neural cell line

Keywords: Adrenal neural cancer; Pheochromocytoma; Amorpha fruticosa extractions