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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 12 No. 4 (2025)

Exploration of anti-cancer and apoptosis-inducing potential of three selected ethnomedicinal plants from Northeast India

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.5615
Submitted
8 October 2024
Published
20-11-2025 — Updated on 04-12-2025
Versions

Abstract

Traditional Indian medicinal plants have long been valued for their therapeutic potential. Cancer remains a leading global health challenge, with breast and cervical cancers particularly prevalent among women. Although conventional anticancer drugs exist, their adverse effects highlight the need for safer, plant-derived alternatives. This study evaluated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum Edgew, Rotheca serrata (L.) Steane & Mabb. and Blumea lanceolaria (Roxb.) Druce on human breast (MCF-7) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay and apoptosis was analyzed via Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide (AO/Et-Br) dual staining. Results demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability across all extracts. R. serrata showed the strongest cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells (IC₅₀ =54.53 µg/mL), whereas B. lanceolaria was most potent against HeLa cells (IC₅₀ =57.14 µg/mL). At the highest concentration tested (100 µg/mL), MCF-7 and HeLa viability decreased to 36.84-45.22 % and 32.21-44.13 %, respectively. AO/Et-Br staining confirmed apoptosis, with a dose-dependent increase in early and late apoptotic cells, corroborating morphological observations of cell shrinkage, rounding and apoptotic body formation. These findings indicate that the investigated plants contain bioactive compounds capable of inducing cytotoxicity and apoptosis in human cancer cells, validating their traditional use. With proper standardization, their leaf extracts hold promise as plant-based anticancer therapeutics.

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