Cytotoxic and genotoxic activities of the crude ethanolic leaf extract of Ficus odorata (Blco). Merr. against human hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Due to the prevalence of liver cancer in the Philippines, the study focused on the use of endemic medicinal plant, Ficus odorata, as a possible chemopreventive agent. In this study, it was demonstrated that the crude ethanolic leaf extract of F. odorata has a potent cytotoxicity towards HepG2 cells and was further supported by its genotoxic activity as assessed by both Comet and TUNEL assays. The crude extract was also able to induce the release of caspase 3 protease that activates cell apoptosis. Considering these, F. odorata is a potential anticancer agent.