The protective effects of Baeckea frutescens leaves ethanolic extract against cisplatin-induced cell death in liver cells

Cisplatin is a cytotoxic drug that is commonly used to treat bladder, ovarian and testicular cancer. While treatment using cisplatin is effective, its potential hepatotoxic effects require careful monitoring and management. Adjuvants may help mitigate these effects by protecting liver cells through the antioxidant property, thereby improving the overall treatment outcome. This study investigated the potential of Baeckea frutescens leaves ethanolic extract, to mitigate cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity. Using the human liver cancer cell line HEP-G2 as an in vitro model, the cytoprotective effects of B. frutescens extract was evaluated against cisplatin-induced cell death. The extract was co-administered with cisplatin, and cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. The results demonstrate that B. frutescens extract significantly protected HEP-G2 cells from cisplatin-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner ranging from 6.25 to 100 µg/ml against 10 µM cisplatin. This protective effect is likely attributed to the antioxidant properties of the extract, which can scavenge ROS and reduce oxidative stress. These findings suggest the potential of B. frutescens to be developed as adjuvant therapy to ameliorate cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity, thereby improving the therapeutic index of Cisplatin. Importantly, further research is warranted to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms underlying this protective effect and to evaluate its efficacy in vivo.