Anti-proliferative and Apoptotic Activity Against an Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Line by Constituents from Ficus benghalensis

Phytochemical investigation of Ficus benghalensis L., Moraceae, leaves revealed three known compounds, carpachromene, mucusoside, and 2- O -α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(2 R )-hydroxyhexacosanoate-β- d -glucopyranosyl ester. Herein, the cytotoxic activity of the isolated compounds was measured against the HL60 cancer cell line. Our findings revealed that carpachromene exerted potent anti-proliferative activity. Also, this compound induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Docking analysis revealed the potential interaction of carpachromene with topoisomerase I. This was confirmed by western blotting where carpachromene inhibited topoisomerase I protein expression. Additionally, carpachromene upregulated the expression of pro-apoptotic genes. In conclusion, F. benghalensis leaves exerted potent anti-proliferative activity against HL60 cancer cells. Graphical Abstract