Introduction: Myrmecodia pendans (M. pendans), also known as Sarang Semut is an epiphyte with
potential as a new therapeutic agent. Recently, we reported that M. pendans induced apoptotic
activity in human oral squamous carcinoma (HSC-3) cell line. This study aimed to study how M.
pendans extract affected apoptotic markers BAX/BCL-2 expression.
Materials and methods: M. pendans was purchased from West Papua, Indonesia. The hypocotyl was
allowed to dry thoroughly, then extracted aqueously. The extract was kept at -80 °C before freeze
drying. The crude extract was used in the experiments. HSC-3 cells were cultured in Dulbecco’s
Modified Essential Medium, then exposed to M. pendans at 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mg/ml for 24 and 48 h.
Doxorubicin
(0.005 mg/ml) was used as positive control. BAX and BCL-2 expression was analysed by Quantitative
Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.
Results: BAX and BCL-2 expression in HSC-3 cells was affected by M. pendans. At 24 h, highest
levels of BAX and BCL-2 were observed with M. pendans at 2.5 mg/ml, while downregulation was
observed at 5 mg/ml. However, after 48 h, BAX and BCL-2 were downregulated at all concentrations.
The ratio of BAX/ BCL-2 in HSC-3 cells at 24 h showed significant upregulation at all treatment
concentrations, but was downregulated after 48 h.
Conclusion: M. pendans extract induced apoptotic activity in HSC-3 cells. This study suggests that
induction of apoptosis in HSC-3 cell line is regulated via the pro-apoptotic (BAX) and anti-
apoptotic (BCL
-2) pathways
