Cytotoxic Effect of Euphorbia tirucalli Extract Towards Breast MCF-7 and Colorectal HT-29 Cancer Cell Lines

Background: Cancer is a condition in which aberrant cells develop out of control. Breast cancer and colon cancer are two malignancies with significant occurrence rates. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and surgery are a few of the therapeutic alternatives. Despite these obstacles, attempts have been made to investigate novel therapy methods, such as utilizing compounds found in plants. The pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli) is a well-known medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory, antiviral, analgesic, and anticancer properties. According to earlier research, Euphorbia tirucalli has anticancer properties. Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cytotoxicity of Euphorbia tirucalli against MCF-7 breast cancer cells and HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. Methods: Euphorbia tirucalli was extracted using the maceration process using ethanol, n-hexane, and ethyl acetate as the solvents. Using the MTT test methods the cytotoxic activity of each extract against colorectal HT-29 and breast MCF-7 cancer cells was assessed. Results: Ethanol extract of Euphorbia tirucalli exhibited a moderate cytotoxic effects with an IC50 value of 33.88 g/mL toward breast MCF-7 cancer cells, and 34.86 g/mL toward colorectal HT-29 cancer cells, respectively. N-hexane extract of Euphorbia tirucallihad a low cytotoxic effect with IC50 values of 631.5 g/mL and 919.13 g/mL against breast MCF-7 and colorectal HT-29 cancer cells, respectively. Conclusion: It is important to continue developing Euphorbia tirucalli as a potential anti-breast and anti-colorectal cancer drugs as it exhibits cytotoxic effect against colorectal HT-29 and breast MCF-7 cancer cells.