Abstract

Background:
Cervical cancer is a severe concern for women throughout the world. This percentage of cancer incidence causes sufferers to die at a high rate. It is believed that the bark of the Pinus merkusii tree contains anti-cancer compounds that inhibit cervical cancer cell growth.

Aim:
This present study aims to examine the cytotoxic ability of P. merkusii tree bark ethanol extract (PMBE) by inducing apoptosis in HeLa cells.

Methods:
We administered the PMBE at concentrations of 50, 100, 200, and 400 µg/mL to HeLa cell cultures. We then conducted the MTT cytotoxicity assay, detected apoptosis via Annexin V binding, and observed caspase 9 expression via immunocytochemistry.

Results:
PMBE showed cytotoxic activity on HeLa cells with an IC50 of 226.6 µg/mL for 24 hours of treatment. PMBE caused early apoptosis in up to 81.31% of HeLa cells, as well as increased caspase-9 expression.

Conclusion:
Based on this study, PMBE is predicted to have dose-dependent antiproliferative or cytotoxicity effects on the HeLa cell line through the intrinsic pathway apoptosis mechanism.

Key words: Anticancer, Cervical cancer, Apoptosis, Pinaceae