Enhancement of Bleomycin Sensitivity in Human Lung Cancer Cell Line using <i>Centella asiatica</i> Leaf Extract

Abstract

Purpose: To demonstrate the effectiveness of Centella asiatica aqueous extract in augmenting the cytotoxic effect of bleomycin in the adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial A549 cell line. Methods: The inhibitory effect of bleomycin on A549 cells was determined by incubating the cells for 24 h in different concentrations of bleomycin. The effect of C. asiatica extract on A549 cells was determined after exposing cells to 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 % (v/v) bleomycin diluted from an initial 10% stock solution. Based on the 50 % inhibitory (IC 50 ) values of bleomycin, 80, 100, and 120 μg/mL concentrations were tested with 15, 20, and 25 % (v/v) of C. asiatica extract. Results: IC 50 value of bleomycin on A549 cells was 100 μg/mL, and was reduced to 80 μg/mL when cells were co-incubated with 20 % v/v of C. asiatica extract. The results show that C. asiatica extract reduces the concentration of bleomycin necessary for inhibition of A459 cell growth (IC 50 ). While the IC 50 value of bleomycin was 100 μg/ml, it fell to 80 μg/ml when used along with 20 % v/v CA extract (p < 5) Conclusions: This study demonstrates that compounds extracted from C. asiatica may have potential for use as adjuvants in bleomycin cancer chemotherapy. Keywords: Centella asiatica , A549 cells, Bleomycin, Lung cancer, Increased susceptibility, Cell viability