Abstract

Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in worldwide cancer mortalities. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anticancer properties of two edible bivalve species Meretrix meretrix and eretrix. casta on human hepatoma cell line HepG2. The anticancer properties of bivalves have been evaluated by using the Trypan blue exclusion assay, lactate dehydrogenase activity (LDH), caspase 3 activity, glutathione level (GSH) and DNA fragmentation assay. Both mollusc extracts M. meretrix extract (MME) and M. casta extract (MCE) treated HepG2 cells showed significant inhibition of cell viability at (IC50) 50 µg/ml concentration in the trypan blue exclusion assay. With light microscopic observation the extract treated HepG2 cells showed modified cell morphological features. Lactate dehydrogenase was significantly released from the extracts treated cells. Reduced glutathione levels were observed in MME and MCE treated HepG2 cells. Further DNA ladder assay showed a fragmented laddering pattern of DNA in molluscan extracts treated cells, it further confirms the induction of apoptosis in HepG2 treated cells. As compared to MME, the MCE showed weaker anticancer property. On observation, it can be concluded that extract MME has been a highly selective and effective anticancer drug for human welfare.

Key words: Meretrix meretrix, Meretrix casta, trypan blue exclusion assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, caspase 3, DNA ladder assay