Stevia rebaudiana Methanolic Leaf Extract in Egypt: Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant, Antilipid Peroxidation, Antihemolytic, Antimetastatic, and Anticancer Properties

The phenolic and flavonoid content of the Stevia rebaudiana hydromethanolic extract (SRHME) was examined, and phytochemical identification using GC-mass spectrometry was achieved. Also, the antioxidant, antihemolytic, and antilipid peroxidation capabilities of the extract were assessed. The extract’s potential to induce apoptosis, inhibit cell proliferation, and reduce metastasis in SKVO3 cells was also checked. The findings of the GC-MS chromatogram demonstrated the existence of bioactive antioxidants and anticancer components in SRHME. Moreover, the extract demonstrated protection against cellular oxidative damage in human erythrocytes by preventing lipid peroxidation and hemolysis. Besides, SRHME demonstrated a selective cytotoxic effect with a strong IC50 value (17.5 µg/ml) on SKVO3 cells without any harmful effects on normal WI-38 cells using the MTT and LDH tests. Additionally, according to assays for wound healing and transwell chamber, the studied extract suppressed the ability of SKOV3 cells from migrating and invading, respectively. Also, the extract-treated SKVO3 cells showed rise in the percentage of apoptotic cells with a prominent comet nucleus, according to apoptotic assays in comparison to untreated cells. Furthermore, a flow cytometry analysis of SRHME-treated SKVO3 cells showed a halt in the S phase and an increase in sub-G1 apoptotic cells (25.44%). Also, the tested extract significantly decreased the levels of ROS in the treated cells, indicating that ROS was involved in the production of SKVO3 apoptosis. Lastly, SRHME strongly impacted the expression levels of proteins related to apoptosis, S-phase cell cycle arrest, and antimetastatic capacity in the treated SKVO3 cells.