Anticancer Activity of Aegle Marmelos on Human Hepg2 Cells by Regulation of Matrix Metalloproteinases Expression

Background: Aegle marmelos belong to the family rutaceae. It is commonly known as Bael. It is used in traditional medicine, as it has antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antiviral, radio-protective, anticancer, chemo-preventive properties which are of great medicinal use. Liver cancer is the 5th most common type of cancer, Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form, which originates from the liver. Aegle marmelos is said to inhibit the proliferative action of cancer cells.

Objective: To investigate the role of Aegle marmelos against human liver cancer cells (HEP G2 cell line) by inhibiting the activity of matrix metalloproteinases which is responsible for spread of cancer.

Materials and methods: HEP G2 cell lines were procured from NCCS (National center for cell sciences) Pune, India. It was cultured and viability of the cells before and after adding the extract was analysed using the MTT assay. mRNA amplification was done using real time PCR. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA and dunken’s multiple test. Corresponding graphs are also plotted.

Results: The viability of the cells decreased from 100% to 50%. The mRNA expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 decreased after the addition of the extract.

Conclusion: From this study we can conclude that Aegle marmelos, a novel innovative anticancer drug inhibited the proliferative action of liver cancer cells by reducing the expression of MMP 2 and MMP 9 and possesses anti-cancer activity.