Evaluation of Anticancer Effect of Lippia nodiflora Leaf Extract on Lung Cancer Cells

Background: Lung cancer, also known as bronchogenic carcinoma, is a kind of cancer that begins in the lung parenchyma or inside the bronchi. In the United States, it is one of the top causes of cancer-related fatalities. Lippia nodiflora is a flowering, broadleaf plant native to South America. Lippia nodiflora has been used as a natural medicine for a number of disorders due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-tumor characteristics.

Aim of the Study: To evaluate the anticancer effect of Lippia nodiflora leaf extract on lung cancer.

Materials and methods: The cytotoxic effect of Lippia nodiflora leaf extract was assessed by an MTT assay. The A-549 cells were treated with different concentrations of Lippia nodiflora leaf extract (10-120 μg) for 24h. Analysis of changes in the cell morphology is examined by phase contrast microscope. For the nuclear morphological changes analysis, DAPI staining was used in lung cancer cells. The apoptotic nuclei were viewed under a fluorescent microscope.

Results: In our study, Lippia nodiflora leaf extract treated cells showed significant reduction of cell viability in lung cancer cells. 50% of the inhibition was observed in a 20 μg/ml concentration, which has been taken as the inhibitory concentration (IC-50) which was used for further analyses. The pro-apoptotic effect of Lippia nodiflora leaf extract in A549 cell line was determined by DAPI staining under a fluorescence microscope. Lippia nodiflora leaf extract treatment alters the nuclear morphology and condensed nuclei in lung cancer cells at 20μg/ml concentration.

Conclusion: Overall, it can be concluded that Lippia nodiflora presents anticancer activity at 20μg/ml concentration at 24 hrs againstthe lung cancer cell line. However, further research is warrented to find out the molecular mechanism of cytotoxicity of effect this plant extract against lung cancer.