In Vitro Investigation of the Antiproliferative Potential of the Achyranthes aspera Dichloromethane (DCM) Extract in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells

Abstract

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood and arises from the sympathetic nervous system. Even with intensive, multimodal treatment, resistance, relapse, and treatment-related toxicity remain major problems in high-risk cases. Here we examined how the dichloromethane (DCM) extract of Achyranthes aspera affects SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Cells were treated with the extract at 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 µg/mL, and measurements were taken at 24, 48, and 72 h. Metabolic activity was assessed with the MTT assay. Untreated cells served as the control and cells exposed to 100 µM cisplatin as the positive control. Wound-healing images were followed qualitatively from D0 to D3. The clearest time-dependent decrease occurred in the 125 µg/mL group, where MTT activity was 92.2 ± 24.3%, 69.5 ± 5.2%, and 61.3 ± 10.5% at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The reduction in the 250 µg/mL group was more limited. At 500 µg/mL the MTT signal stayed close to the control, yet microscopy showed disrupted cells and a loss of monolayer integrity; we considered that this mismatch might reflect MTT interference. Taken together, our findings suggest that the A. aspera DCM extract may have antiproliferative potential in SH-SY5Y cells and that the 125–250 µg/mL range in particular warrants closer study.