Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Potentials of Ganoderma lucidum and Curculigo pilosa on Human Cervical Adenocarcinoma Cell Line, HeLa

Many African natural products have been hypothesized to have phytochemicals that makes them effective anti-tumour agents. This research study looks at two out of the numerous hypothesized medicinal plants-Curculigo pilosa and Ganoderma lucidum. Caspase-3, Neutral red and DNA fragmentation assays were carried out on HeLa cell lines cultured in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagles Medium (DMEM) in (95% O2 + 5% CO2) at 35°C. The apoptotic, cytotoxic capacities and DNA fragmentation assays were carried out on the medicinal plants. Both plant samples were extracted in both organic (mixture of ethanol and ethylacetate in the ratio 50:50) and aqueous solution (mixture of methanol and distilled water in the ratio 70:30). It was observed that both plant samples had apoptotic effects but below 50% of comparative levels with the exception of the aqueous extract of Ganoderma lucidum which could pass as an antitumour agent (showing apoptotic effect above 50%). Conclusively, the aqueous extract of Ganoderma lucidum proves to be suitable for the development of an antitumour agent as shown by its apoptotic effect reported in this study.