Bangladesh Journal of Pharmacology · Published 2026-06-26 · DOI 10.3329/bjp.v21i2.90797
Lin Kuanhung, Shao-Wei Huang, Shwu-Fen Pan, Yi-Hung Li, Chih-Ming Chiang
This study aims to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of the ethanolic leaf extract of Gynura divaricata in human cervical cancer HeLa cells. Cells were treated with various concentrations of extract, and cell viability was assessed to determine the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). The extract significantly reduced HeLa cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner, demonstrating marked cytotoxic activity. Treatment with 2x IC50 extract markedly suppressed cellular metabolic activity and significantly downregulated the expression of NF-κB-related genes compared with control and DMSO-treated cells. The extract also reduced the transcription of inflammatory and apoptosis-associated factors, including TNF-α, Bcl-2, Bax, COX-2, IKKα, IκBα, IL-8, IL-6, and IL-1β. These findings indicate that G. divaricata inhibits HeLa cell growth by suppressing NF-κB-mediated signaling and inflammatory responses, suggesting its potential as a natural therapeutic agent against cervical cancer.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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Kuanhung, L., Huang, S., Pan, S., et al. (2026). Effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Gynura divaricata on NF-κB pathway in human HeLa cells. Bangladesh Journal of Pharmacology. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjp.v21i2.90797