Background (Relevance): Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, necessitating the development of novel, effective, and less toxic therapeutic agents. Phytochemicals derived from medicinal plants offer a promising avenue for drug discovery. Morus alba (white mulberry) leaves, traditionally used for metabolic disorders, possess a rich profile of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids, which have demonstrated significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, their specific cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic mechanisms against CRC are not fully elucidated. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the in vitro antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing potential of an ethanolic extract of Morus alba leaves (MALE) on the HCT-116 human colorectal cancer cell line. Methods: Morus alba leaves were collected, identified, and subjected to ethanolic extraction. HCT-116 cells were cultured and treated with various concentrations of MALE (0-500 µg/mL) for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Cell viability was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The induction of apoptosis was quantified using Annexin V-FITC/Propidium Iodide (PI) staining followed by flow cytometry analysis. Results: MALE exhibited significant dose-dependent and time-dependent cytotoxicity against HCT-116 cells. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value was determined to be 180.5 ± 12.2 µg/mL after 48 hours of treatment. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a substantial increase in the population of apoptotic cells. Treatment with MALE (180 µg/mL and 360 µg/mL) for 48 hours resulted in a significant shift from viable cells (94.2% in control) to early and late apoptotic stages (totaling 36.8% and 61.5%, respectively). Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that the ethanolic extract of Morus alba leaves possesses potent anticancer properties by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis in HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells. This suggests MALE as a potential source for the development of novel phytotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment.

Morus alba, mulberry, anticancer, apoptosis, HCT-116 CELLS, Colorectal cancer, phytochemicals, cytotoxicity

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