In vitro cytotoxicity activity of ethanolic leaf extract of costus igneus against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) Cells

Abstract

Costus igneus popularly known as ‘Insulin plant’ belongs to Costaceae family. The anti diabetic potential of the plant has been evaluated and widely used as Ayurvedic medicinal herb to treat diabetes mellitus and associated metabolic syndrome. Recently Non- alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated metabolic syndrome has been identified as an important risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).So agents with insulin sensitizing action could play dual role in the control of metabolic syndrome and cancer. This study is designed to evaluate the in vitro anticancer activity of the ethanolic extract of Costus igneus leaves against hepatocellular carcinoma(HepG2) cells. The viable cells were assessed by cytotoxicity activity (MTT assay) with the eight different concentration (1000 to7.8 µg/ml) of the extracts. The percentage of viability was calculated. From the graph the concentration required for a 50% of viability (IC50) was calculated as 62.5 µg/ml. However 74.57% and 22.65% of cell viability were produced by the concentration of 7.8 µg/ml and 1000 µg/ml respectively. The results showed the cytotoxic activity of ethanolic extract of Costus igneus leaves and proved the anticancer activity against liver cancer cells.