Sains Malaysiana 53(11)(2024): 3673-3682

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2024-5311-11

Unveiling the Cytotoxic and Apoptosis-Inducing Abilities of an Edible Bird’s Nest Extract in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Huh-7 Cells

(Mendedahkan Keupayaan Aruhan Sitotoksik dan Apoptosis Ekstrak Sarang Burung dalam Sel Karsinoma Hepatosel Manusia Huh-7)

THI-PHUONG NGUYEN^1,§, TANG VAN DUONG^2,§, HOANG DANG KHOA DO¹, VAN MINH LE³, KIM NHUNG TA⁴ & KHOA THI NGUYEN^1,*

¹NTT Hi-Tech Institute, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam

²Vietnam National Museum of Nature, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Vietnam

³Research Center of Ginseng and Medicinal Materials (CGMM), National Institute of Medicinal Materials, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam

⁴VNU Vietnam Japan University, Hanoi, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

Diserahkan: 7 November 2023/Diterima: 19 September 2024

^§These authors contributed equally to the work

Abstract

Edible bird’s nest (EBN) is renowned for diverse pharmacological properties; however, its ability to cause cancer cell death has not been found in recent studies. This study investigates the phytochemical composition of EBN ethanol extract (EEE), the cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing effects of the extract on human hepatocellular carcinoma Huh-7 cells. Qualitative and quantitative tests showed that proteins and peptides were abundant in the EEE. In the MTT assay, the extract exhibited cytotoxic activity against Huh-7 cells (IC₅₀ = 58.57 ± 2.66 µg/mL, 53.15 ± 3.07 µg/mL, and 55.27 ± 1.85 µg/mL at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h of incubation, respectively). Annexin-V/PI staining suggested that the extract provoked apoptosis in Huh-7 cells by deregulating the expression patterns of apoptotic markers including caspase 3, caspase 8, caspase 9, and survivin. These findings demonstrate the potential of the EEE as a promising anticancer candidate for further studies.

Keywords: Apoptosis; cytotoxicity; edible bird’s nest; human hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstrak

Sarang burung (EBN) terkenal dengan sifat farmakologi yang pelbagai; walau bagaimanapun, keupayaannya untuk menyebabkan kematian sel kanser masih tidak diketahui. Penyelidikan ini mengkaji komposisi fitokimia ekstrak etanol EBN (EEE) dan kesan aruhan ekstrak terhadap aktiviti sitotoksik dan apoptosis pada sel karsinoma hepatosel manusia Huh-7. Ujian kualitatif dan kuantitatif menunjukkan bahawa protein dan peptida banyak terdapat dalam EEE. Dalam ujian MTT, ekstrak menunjukkan  aktiviti sitotoksik terhadap sel Huh-7 (IC₅₀ = 58.57 ± 2.66 µg/mL, 53.15 ± 3.07 µg/mL dan 55.27 ± 1.85 µg/mL masing-masing pada 24 jam, 48 jam dan 28 jam eraman). Pewarnaan Annexin-V / PI mencadangkan bahawa ekstrak EEE mencetuskan apoptosis dalam sel Huh-7 dengan menyahkawal atur corak pengekspresan penanda apoptosis termasuk caspase 3, caspase 8, caspase 9 dan survivin. Penemuan ini menunjukkan potensi EEE sebagai calon antikanser yang berpotensi untuk kajian lanjut.

Kata kunci: Apoptosis; karsinoma hepatosel manusia; kesitotoksikan; sarang burung

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*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat; email: khoant@ntt.edu.vn