Cytotoxicity study of ethanol extract of the stem bark of asam kandis (Garcinia cowa Roxb.) on T47D breast cancer cell line

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo investigate the cytotoxic effect of ethanol extract of the stem bark of asam kandis [Garcinia cowa Roxb. (G. cowa)] on T47D breast cancer cell line.MethodsThe cytotoxicity of ethanol extract was carried out against human breast cancer cell line (T47D) by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide colorimetric assay. The extract was added at various concentrations (0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μg/mL). The level of cytotoxicity was determined by calculating the level of IC50 that was based on the percentage of the cell death after 24 h treatment with the extract. Cell morphological changes were observed by using inverted microscope.ResultsThe 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay showed that ethanol extract of G. cowa exhibited significant cytotoxic effect on T47D with IC50 value of (5.10±1.68) μg/mL. Morphological alteration of the cell lines after exposure to ethanol extract of G. cowa was observed under phase contrast microscope in a dose-dependent manner.ConclusionsThe results suggest the possible use of ethanol extract of asam kandis for preparing herbal medicine for cancer-related ailments.