Apoptotic Effect of Simpor Leaf Extract (Dillenia suffruticosa) from Belitung on Colorectal Cancer Cells WiDr

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer worldwide. The side effects and resistance of existing chemotherapy drugs are the background for various studies looking for potential plant extracts as new anticancer agents. This study aims to determine the cytotoxic activity of simpor leaf extract from Belitung and its effect on apoptosis of WiDr colorectal cancer cells. The compound content in simpor leaf extract was analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The cytotoxic activity of simpor leaf extract at different concentrations (25, 50 and 100 ppm) was determined by the MTT test and apoptosis induction by Annexin V/PI flow cytometry analysis. Based on the GC-MS chromatogram results, 13 different compounds were detected. Analysis of the relationship between extract concentration and the percentage of WiDr cell inhibition showed that an extract concentration of 100 ppm was the concentration with the highest percentage of inhibition (20.12 % ± 4.99) compared to concentrations of 50 ppm (13.95 % ± 2.32) and 25 ppm (15.90 % ± 1.38) with an inhibitory concentration value (IC50) of simpor leaf extract of 10.45 ppm. Induction of WiDr cell apoptosis by the extract was influenced by the concentration of simpor leaf extract, which was increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells from 16 % at a concentration of 25 ppm to 70.5 % at a concentration of 100 ppm. The results of this study show that simpor leaf extract from Belitung is able to induce apoptosis in WiDr colorectal cancer cells. HIGHLIGHTS Colorectal cancer treatment faces challenges such as drug resistance and side effects, leading to research on plant-based anticancer agents like simpor leaf extract from Belitung. Simpor leaf extract demonstrated cytotoxic effects on WiDr colorectal cancer cells, achieving an inhibition rate of 20.12 % at a concentration of 100 ppm and an IC50 value of 10.45 ppm. This study shows that simpor leaf extract can induce apoptosis in WiDr colorectal cancer cells, with the percentage of apoptotic cells increasing from 16 % at 25 ppm to 70.5 % at 100 ppm. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT