Cytotoxic activity of methanolic and ethanolic extract of Aquilaria agallocha Roxb. heartwood against healthy fibroblast and breast cancer cells

Aquilaria agallocha Roxb. has traditionally been used to treat various medical conditions, including inflammation, fever, and cardioprotection. However, limited studies have explored its specific effects on cancer cells while distinguishing its impact on normal cells. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of A. agallocha heartwood extracts on both normal and cancer cells. To achieve this, mouse L929 (normal), 67NR, and 4T1 (cancer) cells were treated with methanol and ethanol extracts of A. agallocha heartwood to assess cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that both extracts induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in all tested cell lines. However, the extracts exhibited a greater cytotoxic effect on normal L929 cells, potentially due to their bioactive components exerting a stronger pro-oxidant effect. These findings suggest that A. agallocha extracts may differentially affect normal and cancer cells, highlighting the need for further investigation into their selective cytotoxicity.