Pogostemon cablin from North Konawe Targets MCF-7 Cells and Inflammatory Responses Through Protein Denaturation and Membrane Stabilization

Adryan Fristiohady (1) , Jafriati Jafriati (2) , Irvan Anwar (3) , Rathapon Asasutjarit (4) , La Ode Muhammad Julian Purnama (5) , Lidya Agriningsih Haruna (6) , Agung Wibawa Mahatva Yodha (7) , Hariana Hariana (8) , Mentarry Bafadal (9)
(1) Universitas Halu Oleo , Indonesia
(2) Universitas Halu Oleo , Indonesia
(3) Universitas Halu Oleo , Indonesia
(4) Thammasat University , Thailand
(5) Thammasat University , Thailand
(6) Thammasat University , Thailand
(7) Politeknik Bina Husada Kendari , Indonesia
(8) Universitas Halu Oleo , Indonesia
(9) Universitas Mulawarman , Indonesia

Abstract

Pogostemon cablin (Patchouli), a medicinal plant traditionally used in Indonesia, is gaining scientific attention for its potential pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of P. cablin ethanolic leaf extract specifically sourced from North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi. To evaluate its anti-inflammatory activity, two in vitro models were used: the protein denaturation inhibition assay, simulating inflammatory protein response, and the human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization assay, which mimics lysosomal membrane stability in inflamed tissues. The extract showed significant, dose-dependent inhibition of protein denaturation, with an IC50 value of 62.98 µg/mL. In the HRBC assay, the extract demonstrated membrane stabilization activity with a maximum inhibition of 64.24% at the highest tested concentration (100 µg/mL). The cytotoxic potential was assessed using the MTT assay on MCF-7 hormone-responsive breast cancer cells. The extract exhibited potent anti-proliferative activity, with an IC50 value of 91.56 ± 1.31 µg/mL, indicating its effectiveness in inhibiting breast cancer cell growth. These findings highlight P. cablin from North Konawe as a promising natural source of anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents, with the potential to contribute to the development of plant-based therapeutics. However, this study is limited to in vitro analyses; further investigations are needed to isolate active compounds and confirm efficacy through in vivo and mechanistic studies.

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Authors

Adryan Fristiohady
adryanfristiohady@uho.ac.id (Primary Contact)
Jafriati Jafriati
Irvan Anwar
Rathapon Asasutjarit
La Ode Muhammad Julian Purnama
Lidya Agriningsih Haruna
Agung Wibawa Mahatva Yodha
Hariana Hariana
Mentarry Bafadal
Author Biographies

Adryan Fristiohady, Universitas Halu Oleo

Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Universitas Halu Oleo, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Jafriati Jafriati, Universitas Halu Oleo

Department of Public Health, Universitas Halu Oleo, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Irvan Anwar, Universitas Halu Oleo

Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Universitas Halu Oleo, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Rathapon Asasutjarit, Thammasat University

Research Unit in Drug, Health Product Development and Application, Thammasat University, Rangsit, Pathum Thani, Thailand

La Ode Muhammad Julian Purnama, Thammasat University

Research Unit in Drug, Health Product Development and Application, Thammasat University, Rangsit, Pathum Thani, Thailand

Lidya Agriningsih Haruna, Thammasat University

Research Unit in Drug, Health Product Development and Application, Thammasat University, Rangsit, Pathum Thani, Thailand

Agung Wibawa Mahatva Yodha, Politeknik Bina Husada Kendari

Department of Pharmacy, Politeknik Bina Husada Kendari, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Hariana Hariana, Universitas Halu Oleo

Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Universitas Halu Oleo, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Mentarry Bafadal, Universitas Mulawarman

Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Chemistry, Universitas Mulawarman, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

1.
Fristiohady A, Jafriati J, Anwar I, Asasutjarit R, Purnama LOMJ, Haruna LA, Yodha AWM, Hariana H, Bafadal M. Pogostemon cablin from North Konawe Targets MCF-7 Cells and Inflammatory Responses Through Protein Denaturation and Membrane Stabilization. Borneo J Pharm [Internet]. 2025Nov.30 [cited 2025Dec.6];8(4):326-34. Available from: https://journal.umpr.ac.id/index.php/bjop/article/view/10168

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