Ethanol Extract of Stylissa carteri Induces Cell Death in Parental and Paclitaxel-Resistant Cervical Cancer Cells

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of ethanol extract of marine sponge Stylissa carteri in both parental and paclitaxel-resistant HeLa cervical cancer cells. Methods: This was experimental in-vitro study subjected ethanol extract Stylissa carteri obtained from Pramuka Island, Kepulauan Seribu National Park, Jakarta. Paclitaxel-resistant HeLa cells were treated with ethanol extract followed by microscopic observation and MTT assay. The IC 50 and drug curves were analyzed using four-parametric logistic regression by SigmaPlot for Windows version 12.0. Results: Our data showed that ethanol extract of Stylissa carteri triggered cell death-associated morphological changes as well as inhibited cell viability. The IC 50 was 1 ppm. Importantly, this ethanol extract of Stylissa carteri was also triggered cell death in paclitaxel-resistant HeLa cells. The IC 50 was 4 ppm. Conclusion: This study revealed that a potential cytotoxic activity of Stylissa carteri not only in parental HeLa cells but also in paclitaxel-resistant HeLa cells. This recommends for further study to discover a novel compound contained in marine sponge.