Comparative Evaluation of Garlic Extract and Conventional Anticancer Drugs (Cisplatin) On The Viability and Proliferation of Hela Cervical Cancer Cells

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is a major public health issue, and the pursuit of effective and well-tolerated treatment alternatives is a crucial research objective. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of garlic (Allium sativum) on cervical cancer cells, namely HeLa cells, due to its potential anticancer qualities.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects of garlic extract on HeLa cervical cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, the study aimed to compare the anticancer properties of garlic extract with those of standard chemotherapeutic drugs.

Methods: HeLa cells were exposed to different doses of garlic extract (ranging from 1 to 20 mg/mL), and the impact on cell survival and proliferation was evaluated using colorimetric assays. The anticancer properties of garlic extract were also evaluated in comparison to cisplatin, doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and 5-fluorouracil.

Results: The data indicated that garlic extract displayed strong dose-dependent cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects on HeLa cells. At the maximum concentration tested (20 mg/mL), the garlic extract decreased the average cell viability to 42.6% ± 3.5% (standard error of the mean) and the average cell proliferation to 46.8% ± 3.2% (standard error of the mean). Significantly, the garlic extract had anticancer properties that were equivalent to or even surpassing those of traditional chemotherapeutic drugs.

Conclusion: The results indicate that garlic extract has a notable ability to combat cervical cancer cells (HeLa) by impeding their growth and reproduction. The findings endorse the additional investigation of garlic extract as a potentially effective natural substitute or supplement to traditional chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of cervical cancer.