Cytotoxic Activity of Capparis cartilaginea Leaf Extract against Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line

Abstract

Background: Capparis cartilaginea is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Yemen for cancer treatment. Its bioactive compounds exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities. Liver cancer is the third cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounting for about 75–90% of cases. However, scientific evidence regarding the cytotoxic activity of C. cartilaginea leaf extract against HCC remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic activity of a hydromethanolic extract of C. cartilaginea leaves against the human HCC cell line (HepG2).

Methods: C. cartilaginea leaves were collected, air-dried in shade at room temperature, and extracted using 70% hydromethanolic solvent. The obtained extract was then evaporated and freeze-dried, and its cytotoxicity was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on HepG2 cells. Cells were exposed to different concentrations of the extract for 24 hrs. Cell viability was then determined spectrophotometrically. Vinblastine sulfate was used as a reference cytotoxic drug. Dose-response curves were used to determine the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of the extract.

Results: The hydromethanolic leaf extract of C. cartilaginea exhibited a weak cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 167.81±6.23 µg/mL compared with the standard cytotoxic drug vinblastine sulfate that showed an IC₅₀ value of 3.04±0.22 µg/mL.

Conclusion: C. cartilaginea leaf extract exhibits a weak cytotoxic activity against the human HCC cell line (HepG2).