Anti-cancer activity of phytochemicals extracted from Urtica pilulifera on Hela cells

Urtica pilulifera is effective against cancer cell growth but its bioactive compounds and the mechanism of action behind its effect are still to be clarified. This study evaluated the anticancer activity of compounds extracted from Urtica pilulifera leaves against cervical cancer cells. The cytotoxic effect of water, methanol and hexane extracts of Urtica pilulifera leaves was assessed by MTT assay. The most potent extract was fractionated by column chromatography and its anticancer activity was evaluated. GC-MS was used to identify the chemical components of the different fractions. Western blotting analysis was used to determine the level of specific apoptotic and cell cycle protein markers. Data showed that the hexanic extract exhibits the most potent cytotoxicity against Hela cells. Fraction 4 of the hexanic extract showed the most potent antiproliferative effect against Hela cells. GC-MS analysis showed that the most prominent compound in fraction 4 is phytol. Fraction 4 treatment induced cell cycle arrest and intrinsic apoptosis in Hela cells as evident by the increasing levels of p21, p53, PARP cleavage and active caspase 9. These findings reveal the ability of U. pilulifera hexanic extract to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cervical cancer cells.