Cytotoxic Effect of Averrhoa bilimbi Extracts Through MTT and Caspase 3/7 Assays in Vero, KYSE 150, RD, AsPC-1, and A549 Cell lines

Cancer continues to pose a significant global health challenge, necessitating the development of innovative treatments. Plants containing bioactive compounds present a significant opportunity for cancer research. Averrhoa bilimbi, a relatively obscure fruit, possesses multiple traditional medicinal applications, such as the treatment of inflammation, respiratory ailments, and dermatological conditions. This research assessed the cytotoxic effects of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanolic extracts from A. bilimbi leaves on many types of cancer cells, including Vero, pancreatic, lung, oesophageal squamous carcinoma (KYSE 150), and rhabdomyosarcoma (RD), employing the MTT assay. Apoptosis was evaluated utilizing Caspase 3/7 kits. The ethyl acetate extract demonstrated significant anticancer activity against RD cells (IC50: 19.09 ± 12.86), and both ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts were effective against KYSE cells. A. bilimbi leaf extracts may promote cancer cell death through apoptosis, suggesting chemotherapeutic potential.