Antiproliferative and antioxidant properties of leaf extracts of Pereskia bleo (Cactaceae) and their ability to limit natural and oxidant-induced apoptotic cell death

The anti-proliferative activities of methanol extract of leaves of Pereskia bleo and its ethyl acetate, t-butanol and aqueous fractions were studied in normal mouse fibroblast cells (NIH/3T3) and mouse mammary cancer cells (4T1). Although the extracts did not show significant anti-proliferative effect, they exhibited selectivity in inhibiting the proliferation of the cancer cells (4T1) compared to the normal cells (3T3). The antioxidant properties of the leaf extracts and their ability to limit natural and oxidant-induced cell death were also studied. Among the extracts, the t-butanol extract possessed the highest antioxidant property. The extracts were also able to limit natural and oxidant-induced cell death in normal mouse fibroblast cells.