Introduction: Lung cancer is the most deadly and sumptuous cancer across the globe. Cancer occurrence is increasing progressively and there is no ideal cure yet. Therefore, new therapeutic areas are needed. The use of herbal extracts due to its properties such as antioxidant activity, anti-proliferative effect, and few side effects can be promising in the treatment of cancer. This study aimed to compare the effect of Echinophora platyloba DC. and Cordia myxa L extracts on apoptosis induction in A549 cancer cells.
Materials and methods: In this experiment, the A549 cell line was first cultured in DMEM medium containing 10% FBS and then treated with different concentrations of both compounds. MTT assay was performed to determine IC50 and to compare the viability of cells treated with different concentrations of Echinophora platyloba DC. and Cordia myxa L seed on days 1, 3 and 5. QRT-PCR test was used to investigate the effects of Echinophora platyloba DC. and Cordia myxa L with IC50 on apoptosis induction.
Results: MTT results showed that both plant extracts resulted in cell death and decreased viability of lung cancer cells. But the percentage of viability decreased by Echinophora platyloba DC. was more. Also, Echinophora platyloba DC. significantly increased the expression of Bax, P53 and Bad apoptotic genes and decreased the expression of Bcl2 gene, which induces apoptotic death and the cytotoxic effect of Echinophora platyloba DC. over Cordia myxa L.
Conclusion: In comparing the effects of these two extracts Echinophora platyloba DC. was more effective than Cordia myxa L and had greater cytotoxicity on A549 cancerous cells in a lesser concentration and could be an appropriate drug candidate for the treatment of lung cancer.