Cytotoxic Effect of Lippia nodiflora Leaf Extract against the Prostate Cancer Cell Line

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths for men. Lippia. Nodiflora (L. nodiflora) has been used as a natural remedy for various diseases, because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-tumor effect. This study was to investigate the cytotoxic effect of L. nodiflora ethanolic leaf extract in prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3). The growth inhibitory effect of L. nodiflora ethanolic leaf extract was assessed by MTT assay. The cell morphological changes in L. nodiflora leaf extract-treated cells were observed using an inverted phase-contrast microscope. Apoptosis induction by L. nodiflora was determined by AO/EtBr (acridine orange and ethidium bromide) dual staining. MTT test results showed dose-dependent cell growth inhibition in PC-3 cells treated with L. nodiflora leaf extract (10-120 µg/mL). The IC-50 dose was observed at 40µg/ml. Morphological changes such as reduction in the number of cells, cell shrinkage, and cytoplasmic membrane blebbing were observed in the treated cells. Induction of apoptosis by L. nodiflora (40µg/ml) treated cells showed an increased number of early apoptotic and late apoptotic cells. The above data indicate that L. nodiflora inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Therefore, it can be concluded that L. nodiflora exhibits anti-cancer activity, and thus it raises new hope for its use in anti-cancer therapy.