Antiproliferative Efficacy of Centella asiatica Aqueoues Leaf Extract on Human Lung Cancer Cell Line

Abstract

Aim: To assess the anti proliferative efficacy of Centella asiatica queoues leaf extract on human lung cancer cell line Introduction: Centella asiatica (family Apiaceae), commonly known as Indian Pennywort, is an ethnomedical plant that is widely used in India for treating skin problems and for revitalizing the brain and nervous system. It has been reported to have various pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, skin protective, radioprotective, immunomodulatory, memory-enhancing, and wound-healing properties. Asiatic acid and its derivatives possess a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic ,hepatoprotective and neuroprotective activities. The aim of the study is to assess the antiproliferative efficacy of Centella asiatica queoues leaf extract on human lung cancer cell line. Materials AND Methods: Human lung adenocarcinoma-A549  cell line was procured from National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS, Pune), India. The effect of Centella asiatica on cell viability was measured by MTT assay following the method by Mosmann  Briefly, the cells (1 × 105 cells per ml) were seeded in a 96 well micro titre plate (100 μl per well) with replications. Treatment was conducted for 24 with different concentrations (50,100,150,200,250 and 300 μM) of Centella asiatica .After incubation, 20 μl of 5 mg/ml MTT stock solution was added to each well and incubated for 4 h at 37 °C. The obtained formazan crystals were solubilized with DMSO and the absorbance was measured at 570 nm using a microplate reader (SpectraMax M5, Molecular Devices, USA). Cell viability (%) has been shown as a ratio of absorbance (A570) in treated cells to absorbance in control cells (0.1 % DMSO) (A570). The IC50 was calculated as the concentration of sample needed to reduce 50 % of the absorbance in comparison to the DMSO-treated control. Percent cell viability was calculated following the equation: Cell viability (%) = {A570od of ( sample)/A570 od of (control)} x 100 Results and Discussion: Results show that centella asiatica has an  antiproliferative effect on human lung cancer cell line. The characterisation of morphological changes in human lung cancer cells treated with Centella asiatica leaf extract  compared to their respective controls were observed under phase contrast microscope.Visible destruction of the cancer cells were observed at the initial concentration of 25 microgram/ml. Further concentrations however showed increased antiproliferative activity proving it to be a potent anticancer drug. Conclusion: This research concludes that centella asiatica leaf extract has a potent antiproliferative effect on human lung cancer cell lines.However further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of cytotoxicity of the plants.