Ethanolic extract of Coleus aromaticus leaves impedes the proliferation and instigates apoptotic cell death in liver cancer HepG2 cells through repressing JAK/STAT cascade.

Liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become a leading cause for cancer burden across the globe, and incidences have tripled since the last two decades. Poor diagnosis of primary liver cancer and limited treatment strategies aggravate the challenges. Researchers globally have shown a steep inclination toward the exploration of plant-based compounds for their nutraceutical and anticancer potential to fit into the role of novel chemotherapeutics. Coleus aromaticus is a well-known culinary herb that earlier has been reported for several medicinal attributes. The current investigation deals with exploring the anticancer potential of ethanolic leaf extract of C. aromaticus (CoL-EtOH) against hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell line. The observations made it evident that CoL-EtOH extract impeded the viability of HepG2 at 400 μg/ml (p < .01). Additionally, the extract also succeeded in escalating ROS production (p < .01) which aided dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential and disruption of nuclear morphology. CoL-EtOH further activated caspase-8, -9, and -3 which was reaffirmed by increase in apoptosis at 400 μg/ml (p < .01). Moreover, post treatment with CaLEt-OH extract significantly reduced the expression of JAK-1 & STAT-3 genes (p < .01) along with regulated expression of Mcl1, Bcl-2, cyclinD1, p21, and p27 within HepG2 cells. This evidence portrays the promising anticancer potential of CoL-EtOH projecting it as a novel chemotherapeutic agent against HCC. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The herb Coleus aromaticus belonging to Lamiaceae family and Coleus genus is known by various names in different regions of the world and several language-specific vernacular names. The herb has been used in therapeutic and medicinal applications as well as in culinary preparations. Various attributes of the nutritional strength and functional characteristics of the leaves in terms of carotenoids, minerals, phenols, dietary fiber, and antioxidant activity have been reported by several researchers. Carvacrol and thymol are majorly found in the plant, while chlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid etc. as the phenolic components. The herb has been used in therapeutic and medicinal implications as well as in culinary preparations.