Pinocembrin enriched fraction of Elytranthe parasitica (L.) Danser induces apoptosis in HCT 116 colorectal cancer cells

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly predominant malignancy affecting millions worldwide. Plants belonging to Loranthaceae family have remarkable chemopreventive properties. Objective The goal of the present study was to assess the antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of stem parts of Elytranthe parasitica (L.) Danser (EP) on colorectal cancer and identify the bioactive phytochemicals. Material and methods EP methanol extract (EP.M) and its subsequent fractions were screened for antiproliferative activity in human colorectal carcinoma HCT 116 cell line. Phytocomposition of the bioactive fraction was analyzed by GC–MS. Further, apoptotic induction and cell cycle arrest was assessed in the most bioactive fractions. Results EP.DEE (Diethyl Ether) fraction and a subsequent fraction derived by column chromatography, Fraction 3A (FR 3A) significantly inhibited the proliferation of HCT 116 cells (P < 0.05). FR 3A triggered apoptosis and notably modulated the cell cycle checkpoints. GC–MS analysis of FR 3A revealed the presence of 24 phytochemicals, the most prominent of which was pinocembrin (70.67%), a flavonoid. Conclusion Hence, it could be speculated that pinocembrin and its related derivatives may be the chief phytochemicals involved in apoptosis – mediated cytotoxicity of the enriched fraction. Our findings indicate the enriched fraction is a promising candidate which could be developed into a natural chemotherapeutic product for colorectal cancer therapy.