Evaluation of hydro-alcoholic extract of Eclipta alba for its anticancer potential: An in vitro study

The study investigated the anticancer effects of Eclipta alba hydroalcoholic extract (EAE) on three cancer cell lines: HepG2, A498, and C6. The extract inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 22±2.9 µg/ml for HepG2, 25±3.6 µg/ml for A498, and 50±8.7 µg/ml for C6 cell lines. EAE induced apoptosis by causing DNA damage and reduced the activity of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9, which are involved in cancer metastasis. Additionally, it down-regulated the expression of NF-kB, a transcription factor linked to cancer progression. The extract contains a variety of compounds, including alkaloids and flavonoids. The study, funded by the Nirma Education and Research Foundation, concluded that EAE has potential as an anticancer agent due to its antiproliferative, apoptotic, and anti-invasive properties, warranting further investigation to identify the active components responsible for these effects.