EVALUATION OF GROWTH INHIBITORY POTENTIAL OF MORINGA OLEIFERA FLOWERS ON PC3 CELL LINES

Objective: PC3 cell lines are the classical in vitro androgen-independent models of prostate cancer with high metastatic potential. Moringa oleifera is a predominant Indian nutritional plant with high medicinal value. The objective of the study was to investigate the flowers of this traditional plant for their potential to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in PC3 cell lines. Methods: The growth response of cancer cells to the methanol extract of M. oleifera flowers was analyzed by MTT (3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay and compared to that of known common standard therapeutics. Similarly, the plant material was also tested for its effect on normal cells. Results: While Turmeric and Curcumin showed cancer cell growth inhibition at higher concentrations, M. oleifera flower extract exhibited a gradual dose-dependent decrease in the percentage of cancer cell growth from 0.01µg/ml onwards with its concentration being 46.91 µg/ml for fifty percent growth inhibition (GI50). Also, while the plant extract did not affect the cell viability of normal cells, the other two showed insignificant changes. Conclusion: The results suggested the presence of potent anticancer compounds in the M. oleifera flower extract, non-toxic to normal cells, but responsible for its effective growth inhibition of PC3 cells. This further signified the application of M. oleifera flowers as the efficacious source of natural therapeutics against androgen-independent prostate cancer. Keywords: PC3 cell lines, androgen-independent prostate cancer, Moringa oleifera, MTT assay, GI5