Evaluation Of the Cytotoxic Activity of Searsia Rhemanniana Crude Extracts Against the Human Prostate Cancer Cell Line DU145

Background: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men globally and the leading cancer in African men. Current treatments are often inaccessible or limited by resistance. Natural products, particularly from underexplored plants like Searsia rhemanniana, offer a promising alternative for anticancer drug discovery. Objective: To evaluate the cytotoxic activity of crude extracts of S. rhemanniana against the human prostate cancer cell line DU145. Methods: Extracts were prepared using methanol, dichloromethane, and water. DU145 cells were treated with various extract concentrations, and cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay. IC₅₀ values were calculated from dose-response curves generated in GraphPad Prism (n=4). Results: Among the nine extracts tested, three (samples 3, 6, and 8) demonstrated IC₅₀ values below 100 µg/mL, indicating significant cytotoxicity. The remaining samples showed moderate to negligible effects. R² values from nonlinear regression confirmed reliable curve fitting. Conclusion: Searsia rhemanniana exhibits promising antiproliferative activity, justifying further research into its potential as a source of new anticancer agents.