Research Article | Volume: 16, Issue: 6, June, 2026
Research Article | Volume: 16, Issue: 6, June, 2026
Coniferous species represent a valuable source of bioactive phytochemicals, including polyphenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids, with growing interest in their pharmacological potential. Algeria’s unique geography fosters exceptional biodiversity; however, knowledge about its endemic conifers remains limited. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and biological activity of leaf and cone extracts of Abies numidica. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS) confirmed the presence of multiple phenolic constituents. Antioxidant assays demonstrated moderate activity in both extracts, as evidenced by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values. Cytotoxicity experiments revealed selective cytotoxic potential: Cone extracts significantly reduced the viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells but showed lower selectivity toward normal cells, whereas leaf extracts were more effective against the triple-negative cell line MDA-MB-231 at lower concentrations. In silico analyses indicated that the lead compounds complied with Lipinski’s rules, suggesting favorable pharmacological properties. Notably, ellagic acid presented a distinctive metabolic and toxicity profile. Computational predictions revealed its ability to increase the expression of genes related to cell adhesion, genomic stability, and tumor progression, while decreasing the expression of those associated with energy metabolism and inflammatory signaling. Overall, the findings highlight the pharmacological potential of A. numidica and underline the need for further preclinical evaluation of its bioactive compounds.
Benouchenne D, Ramos-Polo AR, Arango-Varela S, Bellil I, Bendjedid S, Peñalver R, Nieto G, Ros G, Akkal S, Khelifi D. Algerian Fir (Abies numidica) Extracts: Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Potential in Cancer Cells, In Vitro and In Silico Evaluation. J Appl Pharm Sci. 2026;16(6):149-162. https://doi.org/10.1177/22313354261427941
Year
Month
Natural Minerals and Cancer
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