In vitro anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of ethanolic extract of Cissus quadrangularis

Abstract

This study was performed to explore the genotoxic and apoptotic effects of Cissus quadrangularis L. ethanolic extract in A431 cells. Cissus quadrangularis L. (CQ) is widely used in Ayurvedic medicines. Estimation of cytotoxicity and apoptotic effects of CQ extract in A431 cells was assessed over 24 h. An 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed the CQ extract induced cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. However, CQ extract (100 μg ml−1) induced significant production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A431 cells. With acridine orange (AO) staining analysis, a significant induction of chromosomal condensation was observed at higher dose of CQ extract. DNA fragmentation analysis showed that CQ extract caused DNA damage in A431 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Our results suggest that CQ extract can induce cell death in the A431 cell line. The study points towards the capability of the CQ extracts to produce stress and in consequence apoptosis and genome instability.