Conclusion
The ethyl acetate fraction of Iraqi C. papaya leaves has potential anticancer activity in lung and breast cancer.
Methods
The ethyl acetate extract of Iraqi C. papaya leaves was prepared and tested for its phytochemical constitution. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazoline-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed in breast (MCF-7) and lung (A549) cells lines that were treated with different concentrations of ethyl acetate extract (3.125,6.25,12.5, 25, 50, and 100μg/ml). After 72 hrs of treatment, cell viability was evaluated.
Results
The ethyl acetate extract of C. papaya showed considerable cytotoxic activity in the MCF-7 and A549 cell lines. The activity was dose-dependent; The half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were 22.74μg/ml and 8.674 μg/ml in the MCF-7 and A549 cell lines, respectively.