The potency of Hibiscus tiliaceus leaves as antioxidant and anticancer agents via induction of apoptosis against MCF-7 cells

Abstract

Abstract Hibiscus tiliaceus is one of the herbal medicines that have been used as traditional medicine for a long time. Antioxidant and anticancer potencies of this plant have reported by some researchers. However, there are no studies reported on antioxidant and anticancer potencies of H. tiliaceus leaves collected from Terengganu-Malaysia, especially against breast cancer cells (MCF-7). Different solvents in the extraction process and different sampling areas were chosen in this study compared to other studies. These could affect the chemicals content of H. tiliaeus leaves as well as on their bioactivities. Hence, the objectives of this study were to investigate the antioxidant and anticancer potencies of H. tiliaceus leaves from Terengganu, Malaysia, against MCF-7. The sample was extracted by solvent-solvent partitioning using hexane and ethyl acetate. Antioxidant and cytotoxicity properties were carried out by DPPH free radical scavenging activity and MTT, respectively. The morphological features were stained by Annexin-V/PI and DAPI. Results revealed that H. tiliaceus leaves exhibited strong DPPH free radical scavenging and cytotoxic activities against MCF-7. Morphological features showed the cells were put to death by both early and late apoptosis. Our results found that H. tiliaceus leaves have potency as antioxidant and anticancer agents against MCF-7 cells.