Ethanol Extract of Pomegranate Peel (Punica Granatum) in Inhibiting HeLa Cell Proliferation

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the causes of death in women in Indonesia. Many studies have been conducted to determine the anti-cancer effects of natural ingredients. Pomegranate peel contains ellagic acid which has anti-cancer effects. In this study, the anti-cancer activity of pomegranate peel was examined against HeLa cell lines. Pomegranate peel was obtained from Malang, East Java, extracted using 70% ethanol. Cell viability and IC50 values were examined using the MTT test after incubation for 24, 48, and 72 hours. The percentage of living cells was calculated using a hemocytometer using Trypan Blue staining. DNA fragmentation was examined using electrophoresis as a marker of apoptosis activation. The IC50 value in pomegranate peel extract was at a concentration of 450 µg/ml. The results of the percentage of viability cells using hemocytomete at an IC50 concentration of 52%. Smears in DNA fragmentation examination were seen in samples incubated for 24 hours, indicating apoptosis activation. Pomegranate peel extract has anticancer activity against HeLa cell lines, with a mechanism involving apoptosis. This potential indicates that pomegranate peel extract can be further developed as a natural anticancer agent