In vitro multi-target therapeutic potential of Azadirachta indica and Celosia argentea in cervical cancer: integrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and radiosensitization evaluationMohammed Ezzeldien, Feras Alafer, and Alaa Hassan Said Department of Physics, College of Science, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
E-mail: alaa.elkareem@sci.svu.edu.eg Abstract: Natural products represent promising sources of multifunctional therapeutic agents that can modulate complex disease mechanisms. This study presents an integrated evaluation of the phytochemical constituents and multi-target biofunctional properties of methanolic extracts derived from Azadirachta indica and Celosia argentea, linking phytochemical diversity to bioactive potential. Qualitative screening and spectroscopic profiling revealed a diverse array of secondary metabolites, including phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Quantitative assays showed total phenolic contents of 125.7 ± 4.2 and 95.2 ± 3.5 mg GAE/g, and total flavonoid contents of 88.3 ± 3.1 and 112.5 ± 4.8 mg CE/g for A. indica and C. argentea, respectively. Both extracts exhibited potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, with A. indica demonstrating stronger DPPH radical scavenging (IC50 = 70.56 ± 3.83 µg/mL) and COX-1 inhibition (IC50 = 38.03 ± 1.0 µg/mL) compared with C. argentea. In antidiabetic assays, A. indica also showed superior α-amylase (IC50 = 69.36 ± 1.29 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities (IC50 = 9.85 ± 0.42 µg/mL), exceeding the standard drug acarbose (IC50 = 49.47 ± 2.59 µg/mL). The radiosensitizing potential of both extracts was systematically evaluated in HeLa cells, revealing a marked enhancement of radiation-induced cytotoxicity. A. indica significantly increased cellular radiosensitivity (SER = 1.8) compared with C. argentea (SER = 1.5), accompanied by elevated ROS generation, pronounced G2/M cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis through Bax/Bcl-2 modulation and caspase-3 activation. These molecular effects suggest that A. indica potentiates the efficacy of radiation by promoting oxidative stress–mediated DNA damage and apoptotic signaling. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Azadirachta indica and Celosia argentea possess multi-target biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and radiosensitizing effects in cervical cancer cells. The observed enhancement of radiation-induced cytotoxicity was associated with increased ROS generation, DNA damage accumulation, RAD51 suppression, and apoptosis induction. Importantly, these results represent in vitro preclinical evidence and do not imply direct therapeutic applicability; rather, they highlight these plant extracts as promising candidates for further mechanistic and in vivo investigation. Graphical abstract Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com. DOI: 10.1007/s11696-026-04723-7
Chemical Papers 80 (5) 5465–5486 (2026) |
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