Evaluation of the Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Activities and the Phytochemical Profile of Euphorbia indivisa (Engelm) Tidestr.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, highlighting the need to develop new therapeutic strategies. In this context, several species of the Euphorbiaceae family have demonstrated cytotoxic activity. The present study evaluated the cytotoxic effect of Euphorbia indivisa on three cancer cell lines (Breast cancer, MCF-7; Human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PANC-1; Human cervical, SiHa), as well as on a nontumorigenic cell line (Immortalized human keratinocyte, HaCaT). The chemical profile of the species was also determined. The hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) and fractions were obtained by maceration and liquid–liquid partitioning using dichloromethane (DCF), ethyl acetate (EAF), and butanol (BuF). Cell confluence and death were determined by analysis of images from cells stained with Propidium iodide (PI). The apoptotic effect was evaluated by Annexin V/7-Amine-Actinomycin D (AAD) staining and caspase-3/7. Antiproliferative activity was determined by Carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) staining. The extract, fractions, and aqueous residue (AR) exhibited cytotoxic activity against the PANC-1 cell line, with EAF showing the highest activity, demonstrating an IC50 of 26.27 µg/mL. In contrast, EAF showed lower cytotoxicity against HaCaT cells. Likewise, EAF inhibited proliferation and induced cell death via apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. β-sitosterol, palmitic acid, and apigenin-8-C-glucoside were isolated from EAF, whereas quercetin and gallic acid were identified in a mixture obtained from this fraction. Therefore, this species could be considered as an important source for cancer therapy.