Study on Anti-Cancer Activity of Fruit Extract of Terminalia chebula Retz. by Exosome-Mediated Drug Delivery System in HepG2 Cell Line

Abstract

Liver cancer is a serious clinical illness that has a poor prognosis, and elevated aggressiveness. Medicinal herbs have been used for millennia to treat a variety of liver-related issues. Terminalia chebula Retz.  is widely utilized by traditional practitioners for a range of health benefits. In our study ethyl acetate extract of ripe fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz. (EaTCE) was tested for anti-cancer activity in HepG2 cell line. The plant extract was also loaded in exosome in an attempt to increase the bioavailability of the plant extract. However, EaTCE packed in exosomes (Ex-EaTCE) exhibited even superior results due to greater intracellular distribution of EaTCE. To evaluate the nature of phytochemicals present in the EaTCE the total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin contents were also determined. The MTT assay and apoptotic study were conducted for the assessment of in-vitro cytotoxicity. The percentage cell viability of EaTCE and Ex-EaTCE was found to be reversely concentration dependent. The IC₅₀values as determined by the MTT assay were found to be 34.3µg and 30.9 µg in of EaTCE and Ex-EaTCE respectively in HepG2 cell line