Evaluation of hydro­alcoholic extract of Eclipta alba for its anticancer potential: An in vitro study

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Eclipta alba is traditionally used as hepatoprotective agent. The study was designed to explore its antiproliferative activity on liver and other related cancer. Aim of the study: The present study was designed to assess and establish the role of Eclipta alba as anti­ cancer agent using HepG2, C6 glioma and A498 cell lines as model system. Materials and methods: Antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of the Eclipta alba hydroalcoholic extract (EAE) was determined using MTT assay. The expression level of NF­kB was analysed by western blotting and RT PCR. Gelatin zymography was done for gelatinase matrix metalloproteinases (MMP­2 and 9) analysis. Results: EAE inhibited the cell proliferation in dose dependent manner in HepG2, A498 and C6 glioma cell lines with an IC50 of 22 2.9, 25 3.6 and 50 8.7mg/ml, respectively. The expression of MMP (2 and 9) was down­regulated with EAE treatment. DNA damage was observed following 72 h of extract treatment, leading to apoptosis. Additionally, the expression level of NF­kB was evaluated with western blotting and RT­PCR and was found to be down­regulated/inactivated. Conclusions: The data establish the existence of anti­proliferative, DNA damaging and anti­metastasis properties in EAE which is yet unexplored and hold high therapeutic impact.