Date of Publication

11-2025

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Biology major in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Subject Categories

Plant Sciences

College

College of Science

Department/Unit

Biology

Thesis Advisor

Ma. Luisa D. Enriquez

Defense Panel Chair

Mariquit M. Delos Reyes

Defense Panel Member

Mark Christian Felipe R. Redillas
Rosita B. Gan

Abstract (English)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health concern, ranking as the third most prevalent cancer worldwide and among the top five in the Philippines. This study investigates the anticancer potential of Carmona retusa, one of the ten medicinal plants approved by the Department of Health. The research aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of a crude ethanolic extract of C. retusa on the human HT-29 colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of bioactive compounds with documented anticancer properties, including sterols, triterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, and tannins. Results from the PrestoBlueTM assay indicated that the crude extract did not exhibit potent general cytotoxicity, with an IC50 value not determinable at concentrations up to 500 µg/mL. However, the study on its genotoxic potential using acridine orange and ethidium bromide (AO–EB) dual staining revealed a significant, time-dependent increase in apoptotic cell populations following treatment with C. retusa extract. In the treated cells, viability decreased to 14%, while apoptotic and necrotic populations increased to 57% and 26%, respectively—contrasting with the 63% viability and minimal apoptosis in the untreated control in the 24 hour set-up. These findings highlight the pro-apoptotic activity of C. retusa on HT-29 cells rather than its nonspecific cytotoxicity. Although the findings of this study represent an early step in understanding the activity of C. retusa, the observed pro-apoptotic effect of the crude extract warrants deeper mechanistic investigation to assess its potential as an anticancer treatment. Future studies on C. retusa are recommended to include other parts of the plant such as its stems and roots. Other assays like Comet, Annexin V, or Tunnel can be used to further improve the understanding of its cytotoxic and genotoxic pathways.

Abstract Format

html

Abstract (Filipino)

Ang colorectal cancer (CRC) ay isang malaking suliraning pangkalusugan sa buong mundo, na pangatlo sa pinakakaraniwang uri ng kanser at kabilang sa nangungunang lima sa Pilipinas. Sinusuri ng pag-aaral na ito ang potensyal na anticancer ng Carmona retusa, isa sa sampung halamang gamot na aprubado ng Department of Health. Layunin ng pananaliksik na suriin ang cytotoxic at apoptotic na mga aktibidad ng krudong ethanolic extract ng C. retusa sa human HT-29 colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line. Ipinakita ng phytochemical screening ang presensya ng mga bioactive compound na may kilalang anticancer na katangian, kabilang ang mga sterol, triterpene, flavonoid, alkaloid, saponin, glycoside, at tannin. Ipinakita ng resulta mula sa PrestoBlue™ assay na ang krudong extract ay hindi nagpakita ng matinding pangkalahatang cytotoxicity, sapagkat hindi natukoy ang IC50 value sa mga konsentrasyong hanggang 500 µg/mL. Gayunpaman, ipinakita ng pag-aaral sa genotoxic potential nito gamit ang acridine orange at ethidium bromide (AO–EB) dual staining ang makabuluhang, time-dependent na pagtaas ng populasyon ng apoptotic cells matapos gamitan ng C. retusa extract. Sa mga ginamot na selula, ang viability ay bumaba sa 14%, samantalang ang apoptotic at necrotic na populasyon ay tumaas sa 57% at 26%, ayon sa pagkakasunod—na taliwas sa 63% viability at minimal na apoptosis sa untreated control sa 24-hour set-up. Ipinapakita ng mga natuklasan ang pro-apoptotic na aktibidad ng C. retusa sa HT-29 cells kaysa sa nonspecific cytotoxicity. Bagama’t ang mga resulta ng pag-aaral na ito ay paunang hakbang lamang sa pag-unawa sa aktibidad ng C. retusa, ang naobserbahang pro-apoptotic na epekto ng krudong extract ay nagpapahiwatig ng pangangailangang pag-ibayuhin pa ang mekanistikong pagsisiyasat upang masuri ang potensyal nito bilang anticancer na paggamot. Inirerekomenda na ang mga susunod na pag-aaral sa C. retusa ay isama ang iba pang bahagi ng halaman tulad ng tangkay at ugat. Maari ring gamitin ang iba pang assays tulad ng Comet, Annexin V, o TUNEL upang higit pang mapalalim ang pag-unawa sa cytotoxic at genotoxic pathways nito.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Colon (Anatomy)—Cancer; Medicinal plants

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Embargo Period

12-3-2025

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