ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE EFFICACY OF ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS (L.) R.BR. EXTRACT ON CULTURED DAUDI CELLS: AN IN VITRO APPROACH

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to observe the apoptosis of ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS (L.) R.Br.  against Daudi cells and to study its primary mechanism. Materials and Methods: Antiproliferative activity of cultured Daudi cells was evaluated using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay in a dose- and time-dependent manner after treatment with the hydroalcoholic extract of A. scholaris. Trypan blue viability assay was also performed. Apoptosis induction in the cells post treatment was determined by DNA fragmentation assay, Agarose gel electrophoresis, and Acridine orange/Ethidium bromide dual staining. Protein isolation and analysis was carried out using the standard polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis protocols. Results: The extracts inhibited the growth and proliferation of Daudi cells through induced cell death, which was dose-dependent and time-dependent. The IC50 value was found to be 260 µg/ml after 72 h of treatment. The induction of DNA fragmentation and increase in a number of apoptotic ells post treatment suggest the possibility of apoptosis induction. A significant decrease in protein level was also observed. Conclusion: The results raise the possibility that the hydroalcoholic extract of A. scholaris could be a potent chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of various cancers. Further evaluation of its potency as a chemotherapeutic agent is imperative.