CYTOTOXIC AND LIPID-MODULATING EFFECTS OF RIVEA HYPOCRATERIFORMIS EXTRACTS ON HEPG2 CELL LINES: IN VITRO EVALUATION

The present study investigates the in vitro cytotoxic effects of Rivea hypocrateriformis extracts on Hep G-2 cells using MTT assay and lipid droplet accumulation analysis. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, and saponins, which may contribute to the observed effects. Four different extracts were prepared from the plant, including pet ether (HEP), chloroform (HEC), ethyl acetate
(HEA), and ethanol (HEE) extracts. The MTT assay revealed a dose-dependent cytotoxicity across all extracts, with varying cell viability at different concentrations (10–500 μg/ml). The cell viability was lowest at 500 μg/ml and highest at 10 μg/ml for all extracts, with HEC exhibiting slightly higher potency at lower concentrations compared to other extracts. The IC50values for the extracts were determined to be 50.64 μg/ml for HEP 53.14 μg/ml for HEA, 61.49 μg/ml for HEC, and 87.08 μg/ml for HEE, indicating their potential cytotoxicity in hepatic cancer cells. In addition, lipid droplet accumulation was assessed using Oil Red O staining, which demonstrated that pre-treatment with Rivea hypocrateriformis extracts, particularly the
ethanol extract, modulated lipid storage in HepG2 cells. The results of this study suggest that Rivea hypocrateriformis holds potential as a source of bioactive compounds with cytotoxic and lipid-modulating properties.