ABSTRACT

Background: Apigenin has effective cytotoxic anticancer properties and was used for treatment of variety of malignancies. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of Apigenin (Apig) and apigenin loaded nanoparticles (Apig NPs) on squamous cell carcinoma cell line (HEP-2).

Material & method: Treatment of cell line (HEp-2) by different concentrations of Apig and Apig NPs was done to assess the viability of the treated cells to determine the percentages of viable cells that was monitored using MTT assay.

Results: The mean viability percentage of Apig treated cells (in relation to control cells) decreases from 103.69% to 14.41% as Apig concentration increased from 1.22 to 2500 mM with an IC50 of 51.46 mM and Apig NPs decreased the cells viability from 98.11% to 12.25% as Apig NPs concentration increased from .24 mM to 500 mM with an IC50 of .89. Morphometric analysis showed a decrease in nuclear area factor (NAF) which is an indicator of apoptosis as concentrations increased. The results were statistically significant.

Conclusion: Apig and Apig NPs have a significant anticancer effect on Hep-2 cell line