In vitro study on the antitumor activity of Tanacetum vulgare L. extracts

The major nonvolatile compounds derived from extracts and fractions from Tanacetum vulgare L. flowers were determined by LC–HRMS. Major compounds in the crude extract were determined to be: six hydroxycinnamoyl quinic acids with 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and twelve flavonoids and their derivatives, six of which were in the form of flavonoid-O-glucuronides. Generally, the major flavonoid aglycone in tansy was luteolin. Extracts and fractions were tested under in vitro conditions in nine cell lines - one control non-tumorogenic and eight tumor lines, whereby antitumor activity was observed after 72 hours of incubation with the aforementioned substances as determined by an MTT assay. The obtained results show the highest selectivity index for the ethyl acetate extract from Flores Tanaceti (EAFT) and for the ethyl acetate fraction of the crude extract (EACE). EAFT extract was found to exert the highest antitumor effect, followed by EACE. From the above results it becomes evident that ethyl acetate extracts of T. vulgare contain substances with high selective activity against tumor cells.