Confocal microscopic analysis of human colorectal adenocarcinomas cell lines (HT-29) against banana soft pith (BSP) hexane extract by using AO/PI staining / Siti Noraisyah Nordin

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a cancer that arises within the colon or rectum internal lining. In a previous study on CRC, data has indicated that CRC placed as second most cancer patients being diagnosed with, and is rendered as major causative of death among cancer (Wu et al., 2013). In Malaysia, total cases of CRC are about 2,866 in 2006 which bring to 13.2% cases from all cancer cases in Malaysia. In addition, incidences of cases are almost the same for both male and female citizens in Malaysia (National Cancer Registry of Malaysia, 2006). This cancer is believed to be increasing in incidence because the underlying causes of CRC are very much related with the westernised lifestyle being adapted by most of Malaysia citizens. Majority of anticancer therapy that available in this present year such as chemotherapy exhibit significance adverse effects, toxicity and death associated with cancer. Therefore, researchers are focusing to develop plant-based anticancer that posses fewer side effect. Banana soft pith (BSP) is the soft fibrous tissue lining the banana trunk and located in the deepest layer of the banana trunk. In this experiment, the significant morphological effect of banana soft pith (Musa Paradisiaca) hexane extract against human colorectal cell lines (HT-29) were studied. Former studies performed by colleagues (unpublished), indicated that BSP exhibited cytotoxic effect towards colorectal cell lines (HT-29).