Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) and awar-awar (Ficus septica burm. F.) combination extract inhibits proliferation and modulates cell cycle on HeLa cell

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world while the treatment of this cancer is still causing many adverse side effects. Thymoquinone in black cumin extract (BCE) and tylophorine in the awar-awar extract (AAE) synergistically can inhibit the growth of cervical cancer cell line, HeLa. This study aims to explore the potential combination of BCE and AAE as a chemotherapeutic agent in HeLa cell. Thymoquinone and tylophorine exhibited considerable affinity compared with IKK receptor native ligand through molecular docking measurements. Single-treated cytotoxic tests of BCE and AAE showed that both extracts had a cytotoxic effect on HeLa cell with the IC₅₀ value of 577 µg · mL⁻¹ and 177 µg · mL⁻¹, respectively. Due to the low toxicity effect, the combination treatment of both extracts was needed the combination of BCE and AAE by the concentration of 36 µg · mL⁻¹ and 88 µg · mL⁻¹ decreased cell viability up to 31.67 %. Cell cycle analysis using PI-stained flowcytometry revealed that either the single treatment or the combination of BCE and AAE modulated cell arrest in G2/M phase. In conclusion, the combination of BCE and EAA is potential as the chemotherapeutic agent for cervical cancer treatment.