Cell Viability Enhancing and Cellular Protection Activity of Vitex glabrata R.Br. Crude Fruits Extract on TK6 and L929 Cell Lines

Abstract

Studying the plant-based traditional medicine is a starting point for the advancement of modern studies. Vitex glabrata R.Br. (VG) or Khai-Noa is a medicinal plant in Thailand, which fruits have been used by Thai ancients to improve cognition and enhance memory. This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effects and the protective activity against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cytotoxicity and mitomycin C (MMC)-induced apoptosis of water crude extract of VG fruit (VGCE) on human lymphoblast (TK6), and mouse fibroblast (L929) by MTT (3-(4, 5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Here, the water crude extract of VG fruit was used, which resemble the native usage. The results showed that the VGCE was not toxic to both cell lines and significantly (p<0.01) promoted the increase in cell viability, especially at 1 µg/ml VGCE. The extract significantly (p<0.01) exhibited dose-dependent protection on TK6 cells against H2O2 after 24 and 48 h treatments. The protection of TK6 and L929 cells from MMC induced apoptosis were significantly found at 1 µg/ml and 0.1 µg/ml VGCE (p<0.01), respectively. These findings reveal the capacity of VGCE to promote cell viability and protect the cells from H2O2- and MMC- induced cell death.