Preliminary anticancer activity of Carpobrotus edulis (L.) Bolus exposed to low and high temperature conditions against cervical cancer

Introduction: Environmental temperature conditions might influence the composition of secondary metabolites in certain medicinal plants. This study aimed to examine how some of the phytochemicals and anticancer properties of Carpobrotus edulis may be impacted by temperature conditions. Methods: The plant specimens were kept in growth chambers at 15/10 °C and 45/35 °C (day/night), and harvested at 48-hour intervals (48, 96, and 144 hours). Control conditions were maintained at 25/15 °C. Standard phytochemical colour tests were used to determine the presence of eight phytochemicals. The anticancer activity against cervical cancer cell lines was determined using cell viability assay, cell morphology, Hoechst staining, and wound healing assays. Results: The phytochemical screening showed the presence of all tested phytochemicals (phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, and cardiac glycosides) in all treatments except for saponins in the 96- and 144-hour temperature treatments. A noteworthy IC50 value of 284.9 µg/mL was determined from the methanolic leaf extract exposed to high temperatures for 144 hours against cervical cancer. Treatment with this extract suggested changes in cancer cell morphology, signs of apoptosis, and cell migration inhibition. Conclusion: The preliminary results obtained suggest that the C. edulis methanolic extract has potential anticancer properties against cervical cancer. These observations may have implications for the indigenous plant use in treating various ailments and broaden the type of anticancer research involving this plant.