Find in Library

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: <i>Saussurea lappa (S. lappa)</i> is an important species of the Asteraceae family with several purposes in traditional medicine. This study intended to explore the cytotoxic effect of <i>S. lappa</i> on HepG2 cancer cell proliferation. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> The effects of an <i>S. lappa</i> n-butanol extract on the induction of apoptosis were investigated by flow cytometry and mitochondrial cytochrome C-releasing apoptosis assay. Additionally, real-time PCR was employed to confirm apoptosis initiation. Further, qualitative estimation of the active constituent of <i>S. lappa</i> was done by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS). <i>Results</i>: The cell viability study revealed that the n-butanol extract of <i>S. lappa</i> demonstrated potent cytotoxicity against HepG2 cancer cells, with an IC50 value of 56.76 μg/mL. Cell morphology with dual staining of acridine orange (AO)-ethidium bromide (EB) showed an increase in orange/red nuclei due to cell death by <i>S. lappa</i> n-butanol extract compared to control cells. Apoptosis, as the mode of cell death, was also confirmed by the higher release of cytochrome C from mitochondria, the increased expression of caspase-3 and bax, along with down regulation of Bcl-2. <i>Conclusion:</i> These findings conclude that <i>S. lappa</i> is a cause of hepatic cancer cell death through apoptosis and a potential natural source suggesting furthermore investigation of its active compounds that are responsible for these observed activities.