Anticancer Activities of Phlogacanthus pulcherrimus Leaf Extracts on HeLa Cancer Cells: In vitro study

Supavadee Boontha, Benjaporn Buranrat, Prapapan Temkitthawon, Pratthana Chomchalao and Tasana Pitaksuteepong

Background and Objective: Medicinal plants have gained considerable attention and are widely used as alternative traditional medicines for the treatment of cancer. Phlogacanthus pulcherrimus (T. Anderson) is a plant that grows in various regions of Thailand. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to investigate the mechanism by which the ethanolic PP leaf extract affected HeLa cancer cell proliferation. Fast dissolving tablet (FDTs) formulations containing the extract were developed. Materials and Methods: The anticancer activities of the PP leaf extract were determined using specific assays assessing cell cytotoxicity, colony formation, cell migration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell apoptosis. The experiments were performed using HeLa cervical cancer cells. The FDTs were formulated using a direct compression method. Results: The PP extract was cytotoxic on HeLa cells, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of 20.9±3.6 and 7.3±1.7 μg mL^–1 following 48 and 72 hrs of incubation, respectively. Moreover, the extract inhibited the ability of HeLa cells to form cell colonies with an IC₅₀ value of 26.0±3.5 μg mL^–1. The extract inhibited the migratory ability of HeLa cells, with a significant effect at 25 μg mL^–1. It also induces the production of ROS and cell death in a dose-dependent manner at a concentration of 50-250 μg mL^–1. The FDTs containing the PP extract were successfully developed and indicated optimal physical properties. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the PP extract exhibits anticancer properties on HeLa cells, which may be used to prevent and treat cervical cancer.

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