In Vitro Cytotoxic and Gene Expression Mediated Antiproliferative Activities of Crude Extracts of Selected Medicinal Plants From Botswana on HeLa Cells

[摘要] IntroductionCancer is a global problem, contributing many deaths annually compared to other non-communicable diseases.AimThis study evaluated four medicinal plants of Botswana. Cell viability analysis was done to determine the antiproliferation activities of extracts of E. elephantina, A. garckeana, T. terrestris and P. oleracea on HeLa cells.MethodsExtracts were crudely derived from Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Azanza garckeana, Tribulus terrestris and Portulaca oleracea with water, ethanol and methanol and the extracts were applied on cervical cancer cells (HeLa). MTT and WST-1 assays (cell viability assays) were carried out on the treated HeLa cells and morphological changes were then observed. The cells were treated with the least and highest concentrations of extracts from serial dilutions used in cell viability assays for a period of 24 hours. Gene expression analysis was performed on treated cells for cancer markers MACC-1, VEGF, EGFR, CYFRA 21-1 and the tumour suppressor gene CD95; all normalized to GAPDH.ResultsMethanol extracts showed cell viability below 50%. Morphological changes were observed. P. oleracea ethanol and aqueous extracts showed IC50 values of 2.38 mg/mL and methanol extracts showed 5.20 mg/mL. A. garckeana ethanol and methanol extracts displayed IC50 values of 1.80 and 1.88 mg/mL respectively while aqueous extracts had cell viability less than 50%. E. elephantina IC50 values were 6.9, 4.6 and 5.6 mg/mL for ethanol, water and methanol extracts respectively. T. terrestris ethanol and aqueous extracts showed IC50 values of 9.6 and 6.7 mg/mL respectively. Different plant extracts led to downregulation of cancer markers and upregulation of CD95.ConclusionCharacterization of crude extracts can help identify bioactive compounds in these extracts. In vitro studies should be performed to determine the individual and synergistic effects of the extracts on the proliferation of HeLa cells.

[发布日期] 2026-07-01

[关键词] anticancer;cell viability;morphology;cytotoxicity;proliferation