Fekry M.I.Ezzat, Shahira MSalama M.M.Alshehri O.Y.Al-Abd A.M.Pharmacognosy DepartmentFaculty of PharmacyCairo UniversityCairoEgypt; Biomedical Research SectionNawah ScientificMokattamCairoEgypt; Department of PharmacognosyFaculty of PharmacyOctober University for Modern Science and Arts (MSA)6th OctoberGiza12566Egypt; Pharmacognosy DepartmentFaculty of PharmacyThe British University of EgyptEl-Sherouk cityCairoCairo 11837Egypt; Research CentreKing Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research CenterJeddah21499Saudi Arabia; Pharmacology DepartmentMedical DivisionNational Research CentreDokkiGizaEgypt; Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesCollege of PharmacyGulf Medical UniversityAjmanAjman 4184United Arab Emirates2020-01-092020-01-09201920452322https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36089-6PubMed ID 30741973https://t.ly/AXXXpScopusMSA Google ScholarHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is progressively increasing tumor with lack of accurate prognosis and inadequate systemic treatment approaches. Solanum sp. (such as Solanum melongena) is a folk herb which is reported to possess anticancer properties. In a continuity for our interest in pursuing the anticancer activity of compounds isolated from the fruit peels of Solanum melongena, the HPLC profiling and ESI-MS assessment for the methanolic extract evidenced the presence of bioactive glycoalkaloids (solasonine, solasodine and solamargine). These glycoalkaloids were isolated, purified and proved to possess in vitro cytotoxicity against human liver cancer cell lines (Huh7 and HepG2). Herein, we investigated the potential mechanism of action of these compounds using DNA content flow-cytometry and apoptosis/necrosis differential anaylsis using annexin-V/FITC staining. Solasonine, solasodine and solamargine inducd significant antiproliferative effect against liver cancer cells (Huh7 and HepG2) which was attributed to cell cycle arrest at S-phase. Solamargine, solasodine and solasonine induced significant apoptosis in Huh7 cells. Only solamargine-induced cell cycle arrest, was reflected as apoptotic cell killing effect against HepG2 cells. In conclusion, glycoalkaloids derived from Solanum melongena and particularly, solamargine are promising antiproliferative agents with potential anticancer effects. � 2019, The Author(s).Englishجامعة أكتوبر للعلوم الحديثة والآدابMSA UniversityUniversity for Modern Sciences and ArtsOctober University for Modern Sciences and ArtsArticlehttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36089-6PubMed ID 30741973