bio.fsm.undip.ac.id. Breast cancer is the most commonly reported type of cancer in Indonesia and worldwide. Doxorubicin is the first-choice chemotherapy agent for treating breast cancer. However, its use is reported to cause many side effects and induce resistance. This problem became an important consideration for Marya Salfia Khoerunisah to conduct research as her final project in the Biology undergraduate program. Peperomia pellucida has been reported to have anticancer activity and is widely used as a traditional medicine in Indonesia and other countries. Marya stated that the purpose of this research was to analyze the cytotoxic activity of the n-hexane fraction of Peperomia pellucida (NFP) and its combination with doxorubicin (D) against MCF-7 cells. This study also evaluated the phytochemical properties of NFP using TLC and LC-MS/MS methods.
With enthusiasm for research and hard work, Marya was eventually able to uncover the biological phenomenon that the n-hexane fraction of P. pellucida (NFP) contains 30 identified compounds. The IC50 values of NFP and doxorubicin were found to be 96,68 ppm and 2,10 ppm, respectively. The combination of NFP (1/4 IC50) and doxorubicin (1/8 IC50) had a synergistic effect with a CI value of 0,6 and increased cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells. The results of the study indicated that NFP has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of doxorubicin therapy in treating breast cancer.
Marya’s research was submitted as part of her final project and was accounted for academically through a trial examination on March 1st, 2023. The final project examination team consisted of Dr. Kasiyati, S. Si., M. Si., Dr. Marissa Angelina, M. Farm., Apt., and Chairman of the Examination Board, Drs. Muhammad Anwar Djaelani, M. Kes., provided many suggestions and inputs on Marya’s research.
Marya expressed her hopes for the future regarding her research, which is that it may contribute to providing opportunities for the use of the P. pellucida plant as an herbal medicine for cancer, either in the community or in the industrial realm…
Congratulations and success to Marya Salfia Khoerunisah for successfully passing a series of learning processes in the Biology undergraduate program at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Diponegoro University. Hopefully, his knowledge is useful and contributes to advancing the development of Science and technology in this country.
