Abstract

Introduction: The rising global prevalence of cancer, coupled with the adverse effects of conventional therapies, underscores the urgent need for safer and more effective treatment options. Natural plant-based remedies have emerged as promising alternatives due to their multi-targeted therapeutic properties. Dracaena cinnabari (DC) resin, commonly known as Dragon’s Blood, has shown potential anticancer effects. Thus, this study investigates its cytotoxic and cell death-inducing activities against human colorectal cancer cells.

Methods: Methanolic extract of DC was evaluated for its anticancer effects on human colorectal cancer cells (HT-29). Anti-proliferative activity was determined using the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Flow cytometry was employed to examine the impact of DC on cell cycle progression, as well as its ability to induce apoptosis and autophagy.

Results: The methanolic extract of DC resin exhibited significant, concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in HT-29 colorectal cancer cells, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 31.82 µg/mL. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that DC induced cell cycle arrest at the S and Sub-G1 phases. Moreover, treatment with DC resulted in a markedly higher proportion of late-stage apoptotic and autophagic cells, with apoptosis reaching 83.21%, compared to the standard chemotherapeutic agent; 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).

Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that DC methanolic extract exerts strong anticancer effects through multiple mechanisms, including apoptosis, autophagy, and disruption of cell cycle progression. This highlights its promise as a natural therapeutic agent for colorectal cancer and provides a rationale for further preclinical and in vivo studies to validate its efficacy and safety.

Keywords: Colorectal Cancer, Socotra Dragon Blood Tree, Dracaena cinnabari, Anticancer, Autophagy, Apoptosis, Cell Cycles.

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