In vitro Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Steviosid on Cancerous Liver (Hep G2), Colon (HT29), Breast (MCF7) cells and Normal Kidney Cell (Hek293) in Comparison with Cisplatin

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Stevioside, a natural sweetener derived from Stevia plant, has anti-cancer properties. Accordingly, the present study investigated the in vitro effects of stevioside cytotoxicity on cancerous liver (Hep G2), colon (HT29), and breast (MCF7) cells and normal human embryonic kidney cell (Hek293) compared to cisplatin as anticancer drug. Methods: In the present study, cytotoxic activity of stevioside was investigated and compared with cisplatin as a well-known anti-cancer drug. The cytotoxic effects of stevioside and cisplatin on Hep G2, HT29, MCF7, and Hek293 cells, were investigated by MTT assay. IC50 values were calculated by fitting the data in a sigmoidal dose-response curve using non-linear regression analysis for each cell line. Results: Among the studied cancerous cell lines, stevioside showed higher cell growth inhibition on Hep G2 cell line. Stevioside did not have high toxicity on Hek293 normal cell line, but cisplatin had more toxicity in comparison with steviosid on the normal human embryonic kidney cell. Conclusion: The sweetener stevioside, showed less cytotoxic effects compared to cisplatin. Due to its non-toxicity to normal human kidney embryonic cell (Hek293), stevioside can be used as auxiliary treatment regimen in patients with liver, breast, and colon cancers.

Keywords

• stevioside
• ht29 cells
• hep g2 cells
• mcf-7 cells
• hek293 cells.