Phyllanthus fraternus manifests potent anti-proliferative activity on cultured Daudi cells

The aim of this study is to observe the apoptosis of Phyllanthus fraternus Webster against Daudi cells and to study its primary mechanism.

Antiproliferative activity of cultured Daudi cells was evaluated using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay in a dose- and time-dependent manner after treatment with the hydroalcoholic extract of P. fraternus . Trypan blue viability assay was also performed. Apoptosis induction in the cells posttreatment was determined by DNA fragmentation assay, Agarose gel electrophoresis, and Acridine orange/Ethidium bromide dual staining. Protein isolation and analysis was carried out using the standard polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis protocols.

The extracts inhibited the growth and proliferation of Daudi cells through induced cell death, which was dose-dependent and time-dependent. The IC₅₀ value was found to be 220 μg/ml after 72 h of treatment. The induction of DNA fragmentation and increase in a number of apoptotic cells posttreatment suggest the possibility of apoptosis induction. A significant decrease in protein level was also observed.

The results raise the possibility that the hydroalcoholic extract of P. fraternus could be a potent chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of various cancers. Further evaluation of its potency as a chemotherapeutic agent is imperative.