Isolation of flavonoids from Tagetes patula (French Marigold) flowers: Cytotoxic and oxidant activity in human cervical carcinoma cells

Abstract

Tagetes patula, known as French Marigold, belongs to the family Asteraceae. Human papillomavirus infection is considered one of the causes of cervical cancer. This study assessed the cytotoxic activity and intracellular oxidative capacity of compounds isolated from extract of T. patula flowers as anti-cancer cervical agents. Fraction F6 of n-butanol extract was subjected to column chromatography and HPLC-ESI-MS. The isolated compounds of T. patula were used to examine cytotoxic activity and the production of total reactive oxygen species in SiHa and HeLa cells; the cells were also characterized using scanning electron microscopy. Patulitrin was cytotoxic to SiHa and HeLa cells. An increase in ROS production was observed at different times of treatment of cells with patuletin and patulitrin. Scanning electron microscopy showed morphological changes in SiHa and HeLa cells. Thus, compounds isolated from T. patula have great treatment potential against cervical cancer.