Cytotoxicity of Ethyl Acetate Extract From Broussonetia luzonica (Moraceae) Blanco Leaves against Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Hepg2) Cell Lines

Abstract

Introduction: Broussonetia luzonica (Moraceae) Blanco is an edible and endemic plant in the Philippines. Other species of the plant are used traditionally in Chinese medicine to treat impotency and eye disorders and was proven to have anticancer potential. To date, there are no published scientific evidences yet to prove the cytotoxicity against hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG2) of B. luzonica. Furthermore, the bioactive compounds of the ethyl acetate leaf extract were determined. Methods: Bioactive compounds were determined using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). To determine the IC50, the percentage Hepg2 Cell inhibition of the extract at 200 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL, 50 μg/Ml, 25 μg/mL And 12.5 μg/ mL concentrations against (HepG2) was evaluated using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol- 2yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) Assay. Results: GC-MS revealed the top three major bioactive compounds of ethyl acetate leaf extract based on quantity (%). These are 1,2,3-propanetriol, monoacetate (21.21%), phytol (20.28%) and squalene (6.85%). MTT assay showed that ethyl acetate extract at different concentrations exhibited marked inhibition of the HepG2. The concentration of the extracts that will inhibit 50% of the cancer cell lines (IC50) was also determined. The assay revealed that compared to positive control (doxorubicin) with IC50 5.068 μg/mL, Ethyl Acetate Extract statistically exhibited greater cytotoxic effect against HepG2 Cell Lines With IC50 1.118 μg/mL (P=0.001). Conclusion: The presence of several bioactive compounds in ethyl acetate extract from the leaves of B. luzonica confirms the importance of the plant in treatment of diseases. Furthermore, the extract manifested more potent cytotoxic activity than the positive control, indicating promising chemotherapeutic potential of the plant.