Investigating the Potential Synergistic Effects of Turmeric Extract and Black Rice Bran as Cytotoxic Agents Against HeLa Cells.

objectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effect of extract combinations from turmeric and black rice bran extract as anticancer agents on HeLa cells.

methodsTurmeric and black rice bran extracts were obtained by maceration with 96% ethanol. To determine the IC50 and combination index values, the cytotoxic assay of the extracts on HeLa cells was evaluated using the MTT assay, individually or in combination. The LC-HRMS analysis was employed to profile each extract.

resultTurmeric and black rice bran extracts yielded 23.29% and 7.57%, respectively, and LC-HRMS revealed that turmeric extract has the most ar-turmerone at 10.4%. In contrast, black rice bran extract contains many fatty acid derivative compounds. The MTT assay showed that turmeric extract had an IC50 value of 54 µg/mL against HeLa cells, while black rice bran extract had an IC50 value of 446 µg/mL. Combining ½ IC50 of turmeric extract and ½ IC50 of black rice bran extract has a synergistic effect, resulting in a lower viable cell population of 43.04% compared to the individual treatment of turmeric and black rice bran extract, which resulted in 96.92% and 79.30%, respectively.

conclusionThis study showed that a combination of turmeric and black rice bran exhibits greater cytotoxic activity than the individual extracts, promising an alternative anticancer treatment, particularly for cervical cancer.