In vitro Evaluation of the Effect of Pluchea indica Extracts in Promoting Glucose Consumption Activity on A Liver Cell Line

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that is associated with mortality and morbidity. Recently, several plant-based agents have been used in the management of diabetes. Pluchea indica has been traditionally consumed as a medicinal plant in Southeast Asia, and its leaves have demonstrated induction of hypoglycemic effect in normal rats. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the potency of P. indica extracts in stimulating glucose consumption in human liver CCL-13 cell line model. Methods: P. indica leaves were dried and extracted using a series of organic solvents and water. The effect of the extracts on cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The glucose consumption was analyzed using glucose oxidase method. Results: Our results revealed that the methanol extract of P. indica could significantly increase glucose consumption of cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which suggests the usefulness of the extract as an antidiabetic candidate via stimulation of glucose uptake into the liver cells. Conclusion: Our study suggests that P. indica is a potential natural candidate for diabetes mellitus management

Gene expression of selected apoptotic markers in human oral squamous carcinoma HSC-3 cell line treated with Myrmecodia pendans plant extract

Background: Myrmecodia pendans (M. pendans), or Sarang Semut, is an epiphyte with anticancer potential. It was recently reported that it induces apoptotic activity in the human oral squamous carcinoma (HSC-3) cell line. This study aimed to investigate the effect of M. pendans treated samples on the expression of apoptotic markers, Bax and Bcl-2. Methods: M. pendans was purchased from West Papua, Indonesia. The hypocotyl was dried thoroughly and then extracted aqueously. The apoptotic activity was detected via flow cytometry. Bax and Bcl-2 expression was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Results of our cell cycle analysis reveal that aqueous extract of M. pendans induced apoptosis in 2.5 and 5 mg/mL but no change between these two concentrations. Apoptosis was observed at 24 h but not at 48 h. Bax and Bcl-2 expression in HSC-3 cells was affected by M. pendans. At 24 h, upregulation of Bax was observed at 2.5 mg/mL. However, after 48 h, Bax expression showed no changes at any concentration. Bcl-2 was significantly downregulated after 48 h of treatment. Conclusions: M. pendans extract induced apoptosis in HSC-3 cells, which might occur via the proapoptotic (Bax) and antiapoptotic (Bcl-2) pathways