ANTICANCER POTENTIAL OF EUPHORBIA HIRTA PLANT EXTRACT AGAINST BREAST CANCER CELL LINE MCF7

Abstract

Breast Cancer remains the most prevalent malignancy among the women globally, with current various therapies causing significant adverse effects. Although Euphorba Hirta Linn. has been traditionally used by various ailments including tumours, scientific validation of its specific anticancer properties and activities against MCF7 breast cancer cells with appropriate statistical rigor is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical compositions, antioxidant activities and invitro anticancer potential of  Euphorbia hirta leaf hydroethanolic extract's against MCF7 breast cancer cell lines with statistical analysis of dose response relationships. Dried leaves were extracted through Soxhlet apparatus using ethanol (yield 36.50% w/w). Phytochemicals were identified using standard quality tests. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays (50 – 250 μg/mL). Cytotoxicity against MCF7 cells was evaluated using MTT assay (10 - 100 μg/mL). One-way ANOVA with post hoc trend analysis was performed. Phytochemical screening revealed alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, and carbohydrates while phenols were absent. The extract demonstrated concentration-dependent DPPH scavenging from 16.94% (50 μg/mL) to 73.15% (250 μg/mL), and ABTS scavenging from 26,92% to 45.94% over the same ranges. MTT assay revealed maximum cytotoxixity of 39.51% at 50 μg/mL, with the cell viability of 60.53%. Trend analysis confirmed significant dose dependent activity (p < 0.05). Euphorba Hirta exhibits moderate antioxidant and cytotoxic activity against MCF7 cells, supporting its traditional use. Further isolation of active compounds and invivo studies are recommended.