GC-MS analysis of ethanol extract from areal parts of Nepeta deflersiana and its anticancer and antimicrobial efficacies

Nepeta deflersiana [ND] is widely used in the traditional medicine for its medicinal values. In this study, we report the anticancer and antimicrobial effects of ethanol extract fraction [NDE] obtained from the areal parts of ND and the active phytochemicals of NDE identified by gas chromatography- mass spectroscopy [GC-MS]. GC-MS analysis showed NDE to contain 47 bio-active phytochemicals. MTT assay revealed NDE to inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer [LC] NCI-H460, A549 cells with GI50 value of 354.1 μg/mL and 252.6 μg/mL respectively. NDE increased the sub G0/G1 phase of the cell cycles with increasing concentrations and showed a dose dependent inhibition of scratch healing and tumor cell migration of LC cells. A dose responsive increase of early and late phase apoptosis was observed in these cancer cells. While apparent increase in the levels of Bax and Caspase 3 levels were noted, NDE decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 levels in both cell lines. NDE had significant antimicrobial activity against gram-negative microorganisms. The MIC and MBC varied between 15.6–250 and 125–2000 μg/mL respectively. Synergy study explained the significant bacteriostatic effect on P. aureginosa [ATCC 27853], clinical strain of P. aureginosa, K. pneumonae and Shigella. Our data indicate that NDE possessed excellent bio-activities against cancer cells and pathogenic microbes, which drive attention for further research to explore the active components from NDE responsible for biological efficacies.