ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITY OF Withania somnifera AGAINST HUMAN LIVER CANCER CELLS - IN VITRO

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer, one of the most researched diseases worldwide, researches is being done to develop new technology and more effective treatments. Still, there are many gaps in the cancer treatments that are now on the market that have a negative impact on patients' health in the form of side effects. A better approach to treat this awful disease is to use herbal drugs made from medicinal plants. Since ancient times, different illnesses have been treated with the well-known Ayurvedic medicinal plant Withania somnifera L. Dunal (Solanaceae).The aim of this study is to analyze the anti-cancer activity of With aniasomnifera against human liver cancer cells.Materials and methods: Withania somnifera root powder was extracted as viscous mass by undergoing soxhlet extraction and then rotary evaporation. After culturing of HepG2 cells and treatment with the extract, it was subjected to MTT assay and Real time PCR to identify the anti-cancer activity.Results: MTT assay showed that as the concentration of treated W.somnifera ethanolic extract increases, the cancer cell viability decreases. As the concentration of the extract increased, the cell viability decreased. The W.sominifera performed by altering the expression of the apoptotic signaling molecules Bcl 2 and BclXl to suppress the growth of cancer cells.Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Withaniasomnifera down regulating the expression of Bcl 2 and Bcl XL mRNA on human liver cancer cells and induced apoptosis of the cells. The most effective anticancer substances are found in W.somnifera, which also induces apoptosis without causing any negative side effects.