MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF HERBAL EXTRACTS IN INDUCING APOPTOSIS AND INHIBITING PROLIFERATION IN CANCER CELLS

Abstract

Background: Herbal compounds have shown promising anti-cancer properties by targeting molecular pathways involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanisms by which selected herbal extracts induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation in human cancer cell lines.

Methodology: This experimental in vitro study was conducted over two years and utilized three human cancer cell lines—MCF-7 (breast), HeLa (cervical), and A549 (lung). Extracts from Curcuma longa (Extract A), Berberis vulgaris (Extract B), and Vitisvinifera (Extract C) were prepared and standardized using HPLC. Cells were treated with extract concentrations ranging from 10–100 µg/mL for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Apoptosis and proliferation were assessed using MTT assay, Annexin V/PI staining, cell cycle analysis, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting.

Results: Out of 3 cancer cell lines tested, 100% showed statistically significant (p < 0.0001) reductions in cell viability and increased apoptosis. MCF-7 cells treated with Extract A showed a viability reduction of 58.2%, and HeLa cells showed a 63.1% reduction with the same extract. Apoptotic cell populations increased by 35.1% in MCF-7 and 39.2% in HeLa following Extract A treatment. Gene expression analysis revealed significant upregulation of Bax (↑4.5-fold) and Caspase-3(↑5.2-fold), and downregulation of Bcl-2 (↓0.4-fold). Protein analysis confirmed these changes with elevated cleaved caspase-3 and reduced Cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 levels.

Conclusion: Standardized herbal extracts significantly induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation in multiple human cancer cell lines through modulation of key molecular pathways