Anticancer activity and mediation of apoptosis in human HL-60 leukaemia cells by edible sea cucumber (Holothuria edulis) extract

► Holothuria edulis extracts were evaluated for in vitro anticancer potential at 250 μg mL−1. ► Aqueous fraction showed strong cytotoxic effect against HL-60 cell line. ► Bax and caspase-3 protein expression was up-regulated in treated HL-60 cells. ► Bcl-xL protein expression was down regulated in treated HL-60 cells.