Plant-Derived Bioactive Constituents from Beta vulgaris and Triticum aestivum Induce Apoptosis in A549 Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells: Phytochemical and Antioxidant Insights

Devanshi Rajput, Swati Makwana, Payal Sargara, M. Nataraj

Abstract: Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-associated deaths worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives. In this context, plant-derived bioactive compounds have gained increasing attention as potential anticancer agents due to their therapeutic efficacy and lower toxicity. The present study evaluated the phytochemical composition, total phenolic content, antioxidant potential, and anticancer activity of Beta vulgaris L. (beetroot sprouts) and Triticum aestivum L. (wheatgrass) extracts against human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells. The Cytotoxic effects were assessed using the MTT assay, while apoptosis induction was examined through Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide (AO/EB) staining and DNA fragmentation analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of diverse secondary metabolites in both plant extracts. Notably, Triticum aestivum L. exhibited a substantially higher total phenolic content (12.31 mg/g GAE) than Beta vulgaris L. (3.91 mg/g GAE). Both extracts demonstrated marked antioxidant and anticancer activities; however, Triticum aestivum L. showed greater cytotoxic potency, with a significantly lower IC?? value (39.58 ?g/mL) compared to Beta vulgaris L. (963.58 ?g/mL) in the MTT assay. Morphological changes were observed through AO/EB staining, along with DNA fragmentation patterns, which confirmed apoptosis in treated A549 cells. Overall, the results indicate that bioactive metabolites present in Beta vulgaris L. and Triticum aestivum L. possess notable antioxidant and apoptosis-inducing properties, highlighting their potential as natural therapeutic agents against lung cancer.

Keywords: Beta vulgaris, Triticum aestivum, Ao/EB staining, Lung Adenocarcinoma cell line (A549), MTT assay

How to Cite?: Devanshi Rajput, Swati Makwana, Payal Sargara, M. Nataraj, "Plant-Derived Bioactive Constituents from Beta vulgaris and Triticum aestivum Induce Apoptosis in A549 Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells: Phytochemical and Antioxidant Insights", Volume 15 Issue 1, January 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 131-136, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251231132614, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251231132614