Abstract

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80% of lung cancer cases, with limited treatment efficacy and high toxicity. Paris polyphylla Sm. (PPS), a Himalayan medicinal plant, contains bioactive steroidal saponins with reported anticancer properties.

Objective: To evaluate the antiproliferative effects of PPS methanolic extract on A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Methods: PPS rhizomes were collected from Nepal (1741 m altitude), authenticated [National Hebarium and Plant laboratories (KATH) Herbarium], and Soxhlet-extracted with methanol. A549 cells were treated with PPS extract (15.625–250 µg/mL) for 12–48 h. Cell viability was assessed via CCK-8 assay, and IC₅₀ was calculated. Statistical analysis used one-way ANOVA (SPSS v16.0).

Results: PPS extract significantly inhibited A549 proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Maximum inhibition (42.13% ± 0.33, p<0.01) occurred at 250 µg/mL (48 h), with IC₅₀ of 373.08 µg/mL. Positive control (20 µg/mL fluorouracil) showed 82.27% inhibition.

Conclusion: PPS methanolic extract exhibits potent antiproliferative activity against NSCLC cells, supporting its potential as an adjuvant therapy. Further mechanistic and in vivo studies are warranted.

Keywords

Paris polyphylla Sm, lung cancer, A549 cells, antiproliferation, medicinal plants, natural products, Nepal