Selective Cytotoxicity of Ficus Benjamina Leaf Extract Against Lung Cancer Cells

Abstract

This study examines the inhibitory effects of chloroform extract (samples A, B, C, D and E) from Ficus benjamina leaves as a cancer treatment by comparing them to the anticancer medicine, Bortezomib (BTZ), and evaluating their effects on lung cancer cell lines. Sample A is the crude chloroform extract from Ficus benjamina leaf; samples B to E are different fractions derived through flash chromatography of the crude chloroform extract. Positive control was Bortezomib and negative control was Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The test samples were used at two concentrations of 10 µg/ML and 50 µg/ML. BTZ was tested at 1 µM and DMSO at 1 %. According to the findings, sample C showed significant (p<0.05) inhibition of cancer cell lines at 50 µg/ML. The extract's inhibitory activity, however, was shown to be less than that of BTZ. Increased concentrations of the extract showed increased inhibitory activity, supporting the finding that the inhibitory effect of the extract is concentration dependent. At a concentration of 10 µg/ML, extracts A, C, D, and E significantly inhibited lung cancer cell lines as compared to extract B that did not. At both concentrations of 10 µg/ML and µ50 g/ML, the inhibition displayed by bortezomib was noticeably higher than that of all the samples of the chloroform extract of Ficus benjamina leaves. At a concentration of 50 µg/ML, extract C showed a much greater percentage of inhibition against the lung cancer cell lines. Overall, the study shows that Ficus benjamina leaves may be used as an anticancer drug. Sample C showed selective cytotoxicity against the cancer cells while sparing healthy human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. The extract also exhibits a better therapeutic index than Bortezomib, indicating the possibility of a targeted cancer medication with fewer side effects. To clarify the underlying mechanisms and determine clinical feasibility, more study is required. These results highlight the promise of Ficus benjamina leaf extract in the treatment of cancer, but they also highlight the need for further research to fully comprehend its potential.