Skip to main content

Table 3 Cytotoxic effect (IC50 and LC50) and the selectivity index (SI) of different extracts from Croton species and reference drug (doxorubicin hydrochloride) on cancerous cell lines versus a non-cancerous cell line

From: Croton gratissimus leaf extracts inhibit cancer cell growth by inducing caspase 3/7 activation with additional anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities

Plant Name

Extracts

LC50 (μg/mL)

IC50 (μg/mL) and Selectivity index = LC50/IC50

Vero

A549

SI

Caco-2

SI

HeLa

SI

MCF-7

SI

Croton gratissimus

CGA

462.88 ± 7.71a

97.46 ± 2.20a

4.75

74.05 ± 5.79a

6.25

78.21 ± 0.17a

5.91

83.74 ± 2.06a

5.52

CGE

152.30 ± 3.68b

79.60 ± 2.32b

1.91

48.46 ± 3.47b

3.14

73.78 ± 4.12a

2.06

39.75 ± 2.49b

3.83

CGW

533.33 ± 13.21a

> 200

<2.66

> 200

<2.66

> 200

<2.66

> 200

<2.66

Croton pseudopulchellus

CPA

48.19 ± 5.27c

36.54 ± 1.81c

1.31

112.74 ± 4.26c

0.42

128.69 ± 21.97b

0.37

24.65 ± 2.37c

1.95

CPE

7.86 ± 1.47d

23.78 ± 1.41d

0.33

36.24 ± 2.34d

0.21

63.79 ± 1.02c

0.12

13.54 ± 1.18d

0.58

CPW

> 1000

> 200

ND

> 200

ND

> 200

ND

> 200

ND

Croton sylvaticus

CSA

27.92 ± 0.62e

32.78 ± 2.55c

0.85

150.63 ± 8.79e

0.18

169.09 ± 13.05b

0.16

13.13 ± 2.76d

2.12

CSE

8.23 ± 0.44d

1.75 ± 0.62e

4.70

103.73 ± 1.47c

0.08

106.52 ± 4.50b

0.07

6.02 ± 1.60e

1.36

CSW

> 1000

> 200

ND

> 200

ND

> 200

ND

45.62 ± 5.69b

>21.92

Doxorubicin (μM)

1.90 ± 0.15f

1.30 ± 0.06f

1.46

1.08 ± 0.18f

1.75

2.17 ± 0.08d

0.87

1.11 ± 0.03f

1.71

  1. Data are presented as means of triplicate measurements ± standard error; superscript letters a-f represent statistical difference between data obtained, and for each cell line within a column of the above table, data with different letters mean significantly different at p < 0.05 while data with same letters are statistically not different. ND = Not Determined. IC50: concentration required to inhibit the cell growth by 50% compared to untreated controls. SI is the selectivity index which is determined for each extract by dividing the LC50 on the non-cancerous cell by the IC50 on each cancer cell in the same units. CGA, CGE and CGW represent respectively acetone, ethanol and water extracts of Croton gratissimus. CPA, CPE and CPW represent respectively acetone, ethanol and water extracts of Croton pseudopulchellus. CSA, CSE and CSW represent respectively acetone, ethanol and water extracts of Croton sylvaticus