We assessed whether Tridax procumbens (TP) extracts could be used therapeutically against pancreatic cancer and remain nontoxic to normal cell types. The crude extract from TP (CETP) was fractionated Show more
We assessed whether Tridax procumbens (TP) extracts could be used therapeutically against pancreatic cancer and remain nontoxic to normal cell types. The crude extract from TP (CETP) was fractionated using hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate to obtain fractions (NHF, DCMF, and EAF, respectively). The pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell line (PANC-1) was cultured with (10, 20, 50, 100, and 250 μg/mL) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (control), CETP, and CETP-fractions for 24 or 48 h. As a normal cell type, we cultured E11.5d mouse pancreatic explants for five days before treating with the test samples (20 μg/mL) in DMSO for a further 48 h. Cytotoxicity assays (MTT and Live-Dead) were conducted, and the expression of cellular biomarkers, such as vimentin, Ki-67, p53, p21, and caspase-3, was evaluated. DCMF elicited PANC-1 cell death (IC Show less