Abstract illustration of glowing plant extracts with melanoma cells fading away.

Unlock Nature's Pharmacy: Can Plant Extracts Combat Melanoma?

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how licorice, chamomile, sage, and rhubarb extracts show promise in fighting melanoma, offering new hope for skin cancer treatment."

The quest for novel drugs with antineoplastic activity from natural sources has gained significant traction in scientific communities. This approach presents exciting new possibilities for managing various types of cancer, leveraging the structural diversity and cost-effectiveness of natural compounds, often with fewer side effects than their synthetic counterparts.

Melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer, remains a significant health challenge worldwide. While conventional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation exist, their harsh side effects often compel researchers to explore gentler, more effective alternatives. Traditional medicine, with its rich history of using plants for healing, offers a promising avenue for discovering new anti-cancer agents.

Inspired by traditional medicine and existing research, scientists have been investigating the potential of various plant extracts to combat melanoma. A recent study focused on six plants—licorice, chamomile, sage, rhubarb, fenugreek, and dwarf elder—known for their diverse medicinal properties. The researchers aimed to determine whether these plants could inhibit the growth of melanoma cells in vitro, paving the way for new, natural-based treatments.

Which Plant Extracts Show the Most Promise Against Melanoma Cells?

Abstract illustration of glowing plant extracts with melanoma cells fading away.

The study, conducted by researchers Alaa Fraihat, Luma Alatrash, and colleagues, investigated the antiproliferative activity of methanolic extracts from six plants on two human melanoma cell lines: A375.S2 (low tyrosinase expression) and WM 136.1A (high tyrosinase expression). The extracts were prepared from different parts of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice), Matricaria chamomilla L. (chamomile), Salvia triloba L. (sage), Rheum palmatum L. (rhubarb), Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek), and Sambucus ebulus L. (dwarf elder).

The antiproliferative effects of these extracts were evaluated using the MTT assay, a standard method for assessing cell viability. The researchers measured the IC50 values—the concentration required to inhibit 50% of cell growth—for each extract against the two melanoma cell lines.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Known for its anti-inflammatory and skin-whitening properties.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): Valued for its calming and anti-inflammatory effects.
Sage (Salvia triloba): Recognized for its antioxidant and anti-angiogenic activities.
Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum): Traditionally used for its laxative and antibacterial effects.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum): Celebrated for its antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic activities.
Dwarf Elder (Sambucus ebulus): Historically used to treat burns and possesses anti-inflammatory properties.

The results revealed that methanolic extracts of licorice, chamomile, sage, and rhubarb significantly inhibited the proliferation of the melanotic WM1361A cell line in a dose-dependent manner. Specifically, the IC50 values were 35.2 µg/ml for licorice, 25.2 µg/ml for chamomile, 20.6 µg/ml for sage, and 17.8 µg/ml for rhubarb. However, these extracts did not show significant cytotoxic activity against the A375.S2 cell line. Extracts from fenugreek and dwarf elder also failed to exhibit significant cytotoxic activity against either melanoma cell line.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Melanoma Treatment?

This research highlights the potential of certain plant extracts—licorice, chamomile, sage, and rhubarb—as sources of new lead compounds for developing melanoma drugs. Their significant antiproliferative activity against the WM1361A melanoma cell line suggests that these plants contain compounds capable of disrupting melanoma cell growth, particularly in cells with high tyrosinase expression. While further research is needed to isolate and identify the specific active compounds and understand their mechanisms of action, these findings offer a promising step toward natural, effective melanoma treatments.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4314/tjpr.v17i8.25, Alternate LINK

Title: Inhibitory Effects Of Methanol Extracts Of Selected Plants On Proliferation Of Two Human Melanoma Cell Lines

Subject: Pharmacology (medical)

Journal: Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Publisher: African Journals Online (AJOL)

Authors: Alaa Fraihat, Luma Alatrash, Reem Abbasi, Bashaer Abu-Irmaileh, Saja Hamed, Mohammad Mohammad, Eman Abu-Rish, Yasser Bustanji

Published: 2018-10-05

Everything You Need To Know

Which plant extracts have demonstrated the most potential in combating melanoma cells?

Research indicates that licorice, chamomile, sage, and rhubarb extracts exhibit notable antiproliferative activity against the WM1361A melanoma cell line. Specifically, in vitro studies have shown these extracts can inhibit the growth of these melanoma cells. Further research is needed to explore the specific compounds responsible for these effects and their mechanisms of action.

Which specific plants were investigated for their potential to inhibit melanoma cell growth?

The study focused on six plants: licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), sage (Salvia triloba), rhubarb (Rheum palmatum L.), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), and dwarf elder (Sambucus ebulus L.). These plants were selected based on their traditional medicinal uses and known bioactive properties. Only licorice, chamomile, sage and rhubarb showed significant activity against melanoma cells.

What are IC50 values, and what do the IC50 values reported in the study mean for licorice, chamomile, sage, and rhubarb extracts?

IC50 values represent the concentration of a substance required to inhibit 50% of cell growth in vitro. In this study, the IC50 values for licorice, chamomile, sage, and rhubarb against the WM1361A melanoma cell line were 35.2 µg/ml, 25.2 µg/ml, 20.6 µg/ml, and 17.8 µg/ml, respectively. These values indicate the potency of each extract in inhibiting melanoma cell proliferation. Lower IC50 values generally indicate higher potency. Fenugreek and dwarf elder extracts did not exhibit significant cytotoxic activity and, therefore, did not have reported IC50 values against either melanoma cell line in this particular study.

Why did licorice, chamomile, sage, and rhubarb extracts inhibit one melanoma cell line but not another in the study?

The study showed that licorice, chamomile, sage, and rhubarb extracts significantly inhibited the WM1361A cell line, which has high tyrosinase expression, but they did not show significant activity against the A375.S2 cell line, which has low tyrosinase expression. Tyrosinase is an enzyme involved in melanin production, and its varying levels can affect the sensitivity of melanoma cells to different treatments. This finding suggests that the efficacy of these plant extracts may be influenced by the tyrosinase expression levels in melanoma cells. The difference in response between cell lines could indicate a mechanism of action related to tyrosinase activity or related pathways. It also suggests that patient selection, based on tyrosinase expression levels, may be a factor in future treatments.

What are the potential implications of these plant extract findings for the future of melanoma treatment?

These findings could lead to the development of novel, natural-based melanoma treatments with potentially fewer side effects than conventional therapies. Further research is needed to identify the specific active compounds in these plant extracts, understand their mechanisms of action, and conduct clinical trials to evaluate their safety and efficacy in humans. This research also opens avenues for combination therapies, where plant extracts could be used alongside existing treatments to improve outcomes and reduce the harsh effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Moreover, focusing on natural compounds aligns with a growing interest in leveraging traditional medicine for modern therapeutic solutions.