Toxicological evaluation of Myrmecodia platytyrea

New anticancer drugs are actively developed as the percentage of death to cancer is increasing drastically. Thus, many studies were carried out to investigate potential anticancer agents from natural resources in addition to the existing chemotherapeutic drugs. Myrmecodia platytyrea or locally known as ‘sarang semut’ is an epiphytic species native to Asia. This member of the Rubiaceae family can be found on many trees including the mangrove forest and were traditionally used in the management of cancer, hyperuricaemia and coronary heart diseases. The aim of our study is to investigate the potential of M. platytyrea as an anticancer agent and the safety profile of this plant. The cytotoxicity effects of the methanolic extracts from the tuber of M. platytyrea were determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay against the normal African green monkey kidney epithelial cells (Vero) and human hepatoma (HepG2) cell line. The acute toxicity of M. platytyrea methanolic extract (2 and 5 g/kg, p.o.) were determined using male albino mice (n=3, 25–35 g). Results showed that the methanolic extract of M. platytyrea inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells without affecting Vero cells. No death was reported after 24 h of oral administration of 2 and 5 g/kg of the extract. As a conclusion, M. platytyrea methanolic extract has potential anticancer properties without affecting normal cells and safe for consumption.