ANTICANCER POTENTIAL OF CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHIS FRUIT EXTRACT(L) HUMAN LIVER CANCER CELL IS MEDIATED BY MODULATING THE EXPRESSIONS OF INFLAMMATORY CELLS

Abstract

Citrullus colocynthis is widely known for its anticancer efficiency and is also known as desert gourd and bitter apple. Despite considerable efforts taken toward the treatment and prevention of liver cancer it still remains an aggressive killer worldwide. The aim of our study was to evaluate the anticancer potential of Citrullus colocynthis in human liver cells. Human liver cancer cell line HepG2 was purchased from the National Centre for Cell Sciences Pune India. Cell viability testing was performed using the MTT assay. Gene expression analysis was carried out using Real Time PCR. The obtained data were analysed statistically using one way analysis of variance and Duncans multiple range test with Graph Pad Prism version 5 to determine significance. Statistical significance was considered at p less than 0.05 in Duncans test. Citrullus colocynthis caused a marked increase in cell death in a dose dependent manner. At the end of 48 hours maximum inhibition was observed at 400 and 500 µg ml. Treatment with 400 and 500 µg ml concentrations of Citrullus colocynthis extract significantly reduced the expression of TNF α mRNA and IL 1β mRNA when compared to control cells p less than 0.05. This study concluded that Citrullus colocynthis fruit extract possesses anticancer activity against liver cancer cell lines HepG2.