Induction of Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer (MCF7) Cells by n-Hexane Extract of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng.

Abstract

The n-hexane extract of Plectranthus amboinicus, (Lour.) Spreng. reduced the proliferation of MCF7 cells. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the extract on human breast cancer cells viability and apoptosis. To detect apoptotic cells, MCF7 cells were stained with etydium bromide-acrydine orange (double staining method). Quantitative detectin of apoptotic cells was performed by fluorescens microscope. The growth of MCF7 was inhibited by treatment with n-hexane extract of Plectranthus amboinicus, (Lour.) Spreng. The cell death induced by n-hexane extract Plectranthus amboinicus, (Lour.) Spreng. Was characterized by orange fluorescent. The percentage of cell death (apoptosis), necrosis and viable cell consecutively 39.237%; 12.543%; and 48.229%. The result suggest that n-hexane extract of Plectranthus amboinicus, (Lour.) Spreng. may play the role in tumor growth suppression by inducing apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.