Chemotherapy is the most commonly used cancer therapy method to date. This technique is considered to be most effective in killing rapidly dividing cells. Unfortunately, this method of therapy can cause severe side effects, because chemotherapy drugs cannot distinguish cancer cells from normal cells, so that healty cells in the body can also be killed in this treatment process. A strategy for developing cancer therapy with minimal side effects is necessary. In this case, the exploration of natural sources is a promising approach due to its good effectiveness without killing normal cells. Recent research has found that Pinus merkusii plant has excellent potential as a candidate for anticancer agents for humans.
Pine is a coniferous evergreen, which is a type of tree that grows to form a cone and has green leaves all year round. In Indonesia, pine trees are also called Tusam. This plant is suitable for growing in upland areas and has a characteristic stems that are cracked and the leaves stick together to form a collection of long neeldes.
According to geographic distribution, pine plants initially grew in the Old World region, including Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia. Until finally it spread to another region called the New World, namely the United States, eastern and western Canada, northern Mexico, the Carribean, and Araucaria. Indonesia has one native pine species originating from Sumatra, precisely in the Sipirok area, South Tapanuli. This species was discovered by a botanist from Germany, Dr. F. R. Junghuhn, with the scientific name Pinus merkusii Jungh. et de Vriese.
Pine is a plant that is full of benefits. Almost all parts of the pine tree can be used both as a base for industrial and health products. However, by-products such as the bark of the tree are still not used optimally. Now, pine barks has been recognized as a source of proanthocyanidins that are nutritious for health. These flavonoid-derived compounds have benefits as antioxidants, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-diabetes, as well as anticancer. Several studies have also proven that extracts of tree bark from various pine species can kill cancer cells without damaging normal cells. Among them are P. massoniana, P. koraiensis, P. eldarica, dan P. sylvestris.
The human body has a system of mechanisms that regulate cell growth and division. Several risk factors such as age, race, sex, food, environment, and certain infectious diseases can trigger the development of cancer, where cells divide uncontrollably, invade surrounding tissues, and metastasize to other organ systems. About 7.6 million people die each year from cancer, and scientists estimated it will increase to 13.1 million by 2030. One of the most common types of mallignant cancer in both men and women worldwide is colon cancer.
In our study, the MTT assay was applied to determine the cytotoxic effect of P. merkusii bark extract (PMBE) on human colon cancer cells, namely WiDr cell lines. The MTT assay is the method most often used in research on anticancer agents. Thin principle of this method is the redox reaction that takes place inside the cell. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) is reduced to formazan salt by succinate dehydrogenase enzyme present in the mitochondria of living cells. The formazan salt formed was measured colorimetrically in the form of absorbance. The higher the absorbance, the more cells are alive (viable).
MTT test results revealed that the cytotoxicity of treated WiDr cells increased gradually with increasing concentration of PMBE. The highest inhibition of WiDr cells was found at 400 µg/mL PMBE concentration, where the cytotoxicity was 96.57%. Meanwhile, the lowest cell inhibition was at 50 µg/mL PMBE concentration, with cytotoxicity of 1.53%. Two other PMBE concentrations (100 and 200 µg/mL), respectively, inhibited WiDr cells with cytotoxicity of 17.39% and 33.07%. PMBE showed an IC50 value of 235.60 µg/mL on WiDr cells with an incubation of 24 h. This study proves that PMBE has a cytotoxic effect on WiDr cells, which increases in a concentration-dependent manner. Further observation is needed to find the optimal dosage and mechanism of action of PMBE as a strategy in human colon cancer treatment.
Author: Annise Proboningrat, Agung Budianto Achmad
Article: First Report on the Cytotoxicity of Pinus merkusii Bark Extract in WiDr,A Human Colon Carcinoma Cell Line
Link: https://rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2021-14-3-88
