The cytotoxic effect of eurycoma longifolia jack root extract on the prostate adenocarcinoma pc-3 cells through apoptosis enhancement

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in men and has become the sixth leading cause of death in males worldwide. Eurycoma longifolia Jack root has active compounds, namely, quassinoids, eurycomanone, and canthine, which have potential as detoxicants, free radical antioxidants, and anticancer. AIM: This study aimed to analyze the potential of the active compounds in E. longifolia Jack root in induce apoptosis in the prostate adenocarcinoma PC-3 cells. METHODS: E. longifolia root active compounds were obtained by extracting them using ethanol solvent. The culture of prostate cancer PC-3 cell line was obtained from androgen-independent prostate adenocarcinoma with bone metastasis use as subject. Examination of the potency of E. longifolia root extract was conducted by observing the cells undergoing apoptosis with TUNEL assay. RESULTS: One-way ANOVA test showed that the increase in apoptotic cells was associated proportionally with the concentration levels of E. longifolia root extract and showed a significant difference (α < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The higher the dose of E. longifolia root extract, the higher will be the apoptotic level of adenocarcinoma cells PC3. E. longifolia extract is potentially used in the treatment of prostate cancer by inducing apoptotic mechanisms.