Mehmet Ali GÜZEL, İrem Nur MENEVŞE, Birgül YİĞİTCAN, Şengül YÜKSEL
İnönü Üniversitesi Sağlık Hizmetleri Meslek Yüksek Okulu Dergisi - 2026;14(2):339-350
This study presents the first comprehensive investigation into the anticancer and antimicrobial properties of Euphorbia petrophila, a previously unexplored species within the genus Euphorbia. The extract from E. petrophila was evaluated for cytotoxicity against human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116), neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y), and normal bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cell lines. The methanolic extract demonstrated potent and selective antiproliferative activity, with IC?? values of 15.63+/-6.39 µg/mL for HCT116, 22.94 +/- .69 µg/mL for SH-SY5Y, and 55.52+/-2.61 µg/mL for BEAS-2B, indicating preferential cytotoxicity toward cancer cells over normal cells. Flow cytometric analyses revealed a significant increase in apoptotic cell populations and G0/G1 phase arrest in both cancer cell lines following extract treatment, exceeding the effects observed with the standard chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin. In addition, the extract exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida glabrata, and Candida albicans, with inhibition zones ranging from 8.97 to 9.50 mm. Although less potent than conventional antibiotics, the extract nonetheless exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial profile, suggesting its potential as a natural antimicrobial candidate. Collectively, these results highlight E. petrophila as a novel candidate that exhibits both anticancer and antimicrobial activities and has potential therapeutic applications. This study provides the first pharmacological insights into this species and highlights its promise as a source of lead compounds for future drug discovery and mechanistic investigations.
