Pongamia Pinnata Extract as a Potential Treatment for Skin Cancer

A blend of ancient ethnopharmacology and modern science has highlighted the potential of Pongamia pinnata, a plant renowned in traditional medicine, as a promising candidate for treating skin cancer. A recent in-silico and in-vitro study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology unveils its potent anti-cancer and antioxidant properties, offering a pathway to innovative therapeutic applications.

Researchers focused on the phytochemical composition of P. pinnata leaf extract, employing high-tech methods, such as molecular docking, simulation, and cytotoxicity assays. The study identified compounds within the extract, like pongachromene and vitexin, that displayed high binding affinity with key cancer-related targets, including EGF, EGFR, and ERBB2. These interactions demonstrated binding stability, indicating strong potential for anti-cancer activity.

In-vitro analysis corroborated the molecular findings, revealing significant antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 1.051, alongside cytotoxic effects on A431 skin cancer cells at a concentration of 89.59 μg/mL. Phytochemical profiling identified notable amounts of phenols and flavonoids, substances known for their cancer-fighting properties.

“These studies show that P. pinnata has the properties to serve as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of skin tumors,” researchers concluded. “The molecular simulation studies approach is a predictor for drug discovery, acting as a basis for testing anti-cancer activity against the skin tumor. As a result, it can be a useful source of crude drug for the treatment of melanomas.”

Reference

Navyatha Karamala L, Karthik Y, Raghu M, et al. Exploring the therapeutic potential of pongamia pinnata plant extract against skin cancer: in-silico and in-vitro study. J Ethnopharmacol. 2025;337(Pt 3):118964. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.118964