Promising Cytotoxicity and Anticancer Activity of Capsicum Annuum

Abstract

Background: Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. Most of the anticancer drugs showed poor
selectivity. Medicinal plants have proven, historically, their value as a source of molecules with therapeutic
potential. Aim and objective: This study aims to optimize the method of extraction, identification, qualitative
and quantitative analysis of Capsaicin (CAP) from Jordanian Capsicum annuum (C. annuum), and to
investigate the anticancer activity of the crude extract.Methods: The plants extract from C. annuum was
obtained by Soxhlet extraction, HPLC were used for qualitative and quantitative analysis, and Cytotoxic
potentials was investigated by Cell viability (MTT).Results: Our results showed that Hexan solvent
represented a convenient yield of extraction and the highest percentage of CAP yield with better purity of
extract in comparison with other solvents, Jordan Valley ‘’Al-Ghor’’ showed the highest percentage of CAP
yield in extract. Additionally, C. annuum crude extract showed dose depended cytotoxicity activity against
a cancer cell. Conclusion, we have optimized the isolated, qualitative and quantitative analysis of CAP from
the fruits of C. annuum growing in Jordan in fast and reproducible method.