Department of Biological Sciences

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Browsing Department of Biological Sciences by Subject "Cytotoxicity"

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    Assessment of Cytotoxic Effects of Selected Medicinal Plants on Human Cervical, Breast and Lung Cancer Cell lines
    (Lead City University, 2023-12) Oluwaseun Akinyemi, ADEDEJI
    Cancer remains a leading cause of death globally. Reports of severe adverse effects of anticancer drugs call for newer therapies from natural products. This study aims to investigate the cytotoxic effects of six medicinal plant extracts on human cervical (HeLa), breast (MCF-7) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines. The plant extracts were assayed for cytotoxicity using MTT assay method. The selectivity index was determined with the use of non-tumorigenic cell line (KMST- 6). The most active plant was evaluated for its apoptotic effects and its effects on oxidative stress markers of the selected cell lines. Phytochemical composition of the most active plant extract was determined by GC-MS analysis. The leaf extract of Ficus benjamina has the highest cytotoxic effects on the cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 17.56, 33.35 and 33.57 µg/ml on HeLa, MCF-7, and A549 cell lines respectively. Other plant extracts exhibited low cytotoxic effects with IC50 >100µg/ml. The leaf extract of Ficus benjamina possesses a selectivity index (SI) of 2.2 in the HeLa cell line. At p≤0.05, Bax protein level was significantly higher in MCF-7, while caspase-9 and 3 were significantly higher in HeLa cell line. Activities of SOD increases in all the cell lines but significantly in MCF-7 (p≤0.05). The activities of GST and the levels of GSH were significantly reduced in MCF-7 and A549. LPO and NO were lowered significantly in all cancer cell lines (p≤0.05). The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of phenolic compounds (Phytol and Tocopherols) and terpenoids (Eicosyne and Eicosane). The extract of F. benjamina induces apoptosis in HeLa and MCF-7. The analysis of bioactive compounds showed that the extract posseses antioxidant and antiflammatory properties. This study suggests that the leaf of F. benjamina could be a source of potential and safe anticancer drug against cervical cancer. Keywords: Medicinal plants, Cancer cell lines, Cytotoxicity, Selectivity index. Word Count: 293