Evaluation of anticancer compounds from suspension cultures of Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum L.)

Abstract

Objective: Assessment of anticancer activity of the plant cell suspension cultures of Ocimum sanctum by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Trypan blue dye exclusion assay against A549 (human lung cancer cell line). Materials and Methods: In vitro anticancer activity of ethanol, acetone, and aqueous leaf extracts of O. sanctum was evaluated on A549 cancerous cell line by MTT assay and Trypan blue dye exclusion assay. MTT assay is based on the capacity of mitochondrial enzymes of viable cells to reduce the yellow soluble salt MTT to purple-blue insoluble formazan precipitate which is then quantified spectrophotometrically at 570 nm. Trypan blue assay is based on staining of cells. Cells are then counted using hemocytometer under the microscope, non-viable cells were stained blue and viable cells remain unstained. Results: The aqueous leaf extract of O. sanctum has not shown any anticancer activity. However, potent anticancer activity was shown by the acetone and ethanol leaf extracts of O. sanctum on A549 (human lung cancer cell line). Conclusions: The medicinal plant, i.e., O. sanctum was studied by in vitro evaluation methods, i.e., MTT assay and Trypan blue exclusion assay. The acetone and ethanol leaf extract of O. sanctum have shown potent anticancer activity on A549 cancerous cell line.