Anticancer Potential of Chloroform Extract from Black Rice (Oryza sativa L. ‘Sembada Hitam’) Bran Against HepG2 Liver Cancer Cells

Abstract

Chemoprevention using natural ingredients offers a promising approach to reduce cancer incidence in Indonesia. This study investigates the potential of the chloroform extract of black rice (Oryza sativa L. ‘Sembada Hitam’) bran against HepG2 liver cancer cells. The extract was tested through three assays: cytotoxicity (MTT), cell migration (wound healing), and apoptosis (flow cytometry). Cytotoxicity and migration were measured at 24 and 48 hours, while apoptosis was assessed at 48 hours. One-way ANOVA (p≤0.05) and Tukey HSD were used for data analysis. The extract exhibited moderate cytotoxicity at 1,500–3,000 μg/mL. HepG2 viability dropped to 30.39% (SD = 12.23) at 2,000 μg/mL and to 4.9% (SD = 0.67) at 3,000 μg/mL. IC₅₀ of the extract was 1,265 μg/mL (24h) and 1,868 μg/mL (48h), whereas doxorubicin showed IC₅₀ of 0.44 μg/mL (24h) and 0.18 μg/mL (48h). The extract significantly inhibited cell migration and enhanced late apoptosis at concentrations above 1,000 μg/mL. These findings show a correlation between reduced cell migration, increased apoptosis, and cytotoxicity. Although CBRB has low cytotoxicity, it demonstrates potential in inhibiting cancer progression. Further studies on compound isolation are needed to optimize its therapeutic effect.