The effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Moringa olifera leaves on inhibition of Jurkat and Raji cell lines of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a malignant hematologic disorder of lymphoid lineage. As a result of chemotherapy side effects, treatment with medicinal plants has recently been considered by researchers. Previous studies on Moringa olifera have shown its anti-cancer properties on some cancer cell lines. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of Moringa oleifera leaves on Jurket and Raji cell lines of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

In this experimental study, after preparing aqueous and ethanolic leaf extract of Moringa olifera, Jurket and Raji cells were treated with different concentrations of extracts for 48 hours. Cell groups’viability was assessed by trypan blue staining and MTT assay. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were used as a control group. Statistical analysis of data was performed using Gragh Pad Prism 6 and one-way ANOVA test.

Treatment of Jurkat and Raji cells with all concentrations of aqueous and ethanolic extracts led to inhibition of cell growth. The highest percentage of growth inhibition was obtained at a concentration of 150 μg/mL of aqueous extract, 48.5% and 47.4% for Jurkat and Raji cell lines, respectively. Also, the highest lethal percentage was obtained at a concentration of 50 μg/mL of ethanolic extract, 73.4% and 78.5% for Jurkat and Raji cell lines, respectively. The IC50 dose was obtained in all study groups at a concentration of 150 μg/mL.

The leaves of Moringa olifera have the capacity to inhibit the growth and viability of Jurkat and Raji cell lines of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.