Apoptotic and Antibacterial Activities of Terminalia catappa Ethanolic Extract

Prostate cancer remains a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality rates in men due to resistance to conventional treatments. Natural products such as Terminalia catappa have emerged as promising candidates with their antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities. Ethanolic extract of T. catappa leaves were tested against PC-3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Antiproliferative activity was investigated using the WST-1 assay. Caspase-3, -8, -9, Bcl-2, p53, and survivin expression were investigated by ELISA and Western blot methods. The antibacterial activity of the extract was tested by the well diffusion method. T. catappa extract inhibited prostate cancer cell proliferation in a concentration and duration dependent profile, with IC50 values of 49.54 µg/mL (24 h) and 30.41 µg/mL (48 h) in PC-3 cells and 61.53 µg/mL (24 h) and 43.64 µg/mL (48 h) in LNCaP cells. Microscopic analysis revealed apoptotic effects, while HUVECs maintained their viability and morphology. Caspase-3, -8, and -9 activities were significantly increased, indicating activation of apoptotic pathways. Western blotting revealed a strong increase in p53 and a decrease in Bcl-2 and survivin. Additionally, the extract was found to exhibit stronger antibacterial activity against Gram-positive strains. These findings highlight the dual anticancer and antibacterial potential of the T. catappa ethanol extract.