The apoptotic mechanism is complex and involves many pathways. Defects can occur at any time along these pathways, resulting in malignant cell transformation and resistance to anticancer drugs. Collective efforts have made great progress in the implementation of natural products in clinical use and in discovering new therapeutic opportunities. This study aimed to screen volatile compounds of Warburgia salutaris leaf extracts and investigate their pro-apoptotic effects on MCF-7 cells. The approach was mainly based on determining cell viability using MTT and scratch assays, and DNA synthesis and damage using BrdU and comet assays, respectively. DAPI/PI stains were used for morphological analysis and expression was determined by RT-PCR and human apoptotic proteome profiler. Warburgia salutaris extracts exhibited antiproliferative effects on MCF-7 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Acetone and methanol extracts exhibited low IC₅₀ at 24, 48 and 72 h. Furthermore, the scratch test revealed that MCF-7 does not metastasise when treated with IC₅₀. Expression showed upregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins and executioner caspases. Taken together, these findings suggest that leaves can promote apoptosis through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, as observed by upregulation of the Bax and caspase 3 proteins. This paper provides new insights into the mechanisms of action of W. salutaris leaf extracts in the development of anticancer drugs.

Mucronata, spina-christi, muaritiani, oxphylla, xylopyrus, and lotus are few of the many medical plant species found in the genus Ziziphus. Most of the Ziziphus’s species have established pharmacological effects. Phytopharmacological constituents such as jujuboside A and B have been isolated from the genus: Ziziphus and have been reported to possess potential health benefits. The literature for this review was conducted by searching various scientific electronic databases. Additional information was derived from other sources in the literature (books and journals). The review highlights the pharmacological studies of the Ziziphus genus and the jujuboside A and B compounds. The Ziziphus plant species as well as Jujuboside A and B compounds have being studied and reported to possess valuable pharmacological activities. Both the Ziziphus species and compounds possess vast potential health benefits that warrant further scientific exploration.