# Characterization of the Antiproliferative and Antimetastatic Properties of Centrapalus pauciflorus Meroterpenoid Centrapalus Coumarin F

## TL;DR

This study explores the cancer-fighting potential of a compound from Centrapalus pauciflorus, showing it can inhibit cervical cancer cell growth and metastasis.

## Contribution

The study identifies centrapalus coumarin F as a novel compound with antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects on cervical cancer cells.

## Key findings

- CCF selectively inhibits growth of HPV-18-positive HeLa cells with an IC50 of 2.28 µM.
- CCF induces apoptosis and inhibits migration and invasion in HeLa cells.
- The compound exhibits antiestrogenic properties.

## Abstract

The current study examined the in vitro antineoplastic potentials of centrapalus coumarin F (CCF) obtained from aerial parts of Centrapalus pauciflorus (Willd.) H.Rob. (Asteraceae). Cytotoxic activity was tested against a panel of human adherent cancer cell lines, including breast, cervical, and oropharyngeal cancer and glioblastoma. Cell cycle analyses using flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258-propidium iodide (HOPI) fluorescent double staining were used to describe the proapoptotic property of CCF. Wound healing assessment and the Boyden chamber assay were performed to characterize the antimetastatic action of the compound. The firefly luciferase assay was applied to clarify the action of CCF on estrogenic receptors. CCF demonstrated remarkable selective growth inhibition against the HPV-18-positive human cervical cancer cell line HeLa (IC50 = 2.28 µM). The compound elicited crucial markers of apoptosis, inhibited the migration and invasion capacity of HeLa cells, and demonstrated an antiestrogenic property. Our current data indicate that the meroterpenoid scaffold presented here displays remarkable antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects on HeLa cells and can be considered a valuable model for designing further analogs targeting cervical carcinoma.