Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of the Adenium obesum extract on the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2)

Background: Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been used in the treatment of many diseases. It has been shown that Adenium obesum ( A . obesum ) has antiviral, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities. In this study, the cytotoxic effects and the ability of apoptosis induction of A . obesum extract on HepG2 cells were investigated. Methods: Cell cytotoxicity of green leaf extract of A . obesum was evaluated using MTT assay. Changes in the cells 'redox potential were determined in the treated cells by catalase activity, released nitrite oxide, and GSH concentration, and induction of apoptosis was evaluated using alkaline comet assay. Results: The results showed that plant extract containing various proteins concentrations (0.2, 0.75, and 3 mu g/mL) has apoptosis and ROS effects on HepG2 cells. The folded proteins in the extract agglutinated the red blood cells. The results also showed that following the addition of the extract, the amount of NO released to the culture media was significantly increased, while the catalase enzyme activity was significantly decreased. However, the GSH content was not changed significantly. The results of the comet assay confirmed the apoptosis induction in the HepG2 cells following the treatment. Conclusions: Our results show the apoptotic effects of green leaf extract of A . obesum on hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. This finding proposes that the A . obesum extract is a valuable therapeutic agent against cancerous cells.