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Investigating the anti-cancer potential of Morus alba L. extracts obtained from Brunei Darussalam on leukaemia cancer cells

Year 2024, Volume: 28 Issue: 4, 923 - 939, 28.06.2025

Abstract

Morus alba L. has been used as traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and expectorant attributes. Their anti-cancer properties have been previously investigated in several cancer cells types. The phytochemical compounds present in this plant may be responsible for its pharmacological action. However, no studies have examined Brunei-grown M. alba’s extracts and its anti-cancer activity thus far. Wound-healing assay, proliferation assay, and apoptosis antibody array assay were performed to examine the ability of the leaves and root bark extracts of the plant to suppress migration and proliferation of leukaemia cancer cells. The wound-healing assay results suggested that both M. alba leaves and root bark extracts suppressed migration in a concentration-dependent manner, with M. alba root bark extract exhibiting more potent effects than leaves extract. Cell viability assessment or proliferation assay showed that M. alba root bark extract significantly decreased leukaemia cell viability. However, no effect on cell viability was observed with M. alba leaves extract-treated cells. Investigation using apoptosis antibody array suggested that M. alba root bark extract may induce apoptosis through a caspase-dependent manner, with proteins like Bax, Bad and caspase-3 found to be up-regulated upon treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that investigated M. alba locally obtained from Brunei Darussalam, with observation of promising therapeutic potential.

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There are 41 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Other)
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Siao Suan Lim 0009-0005-7253-0996

Noor Faizah Mohd-naim 0000-0002-9496-6249

Nurolaini Kifli 0000-0002-8817-7956

Long Chiau Ming 0000-0002-6971-1383

Suwarni Diah 0000-0002-5869-8240

Publication Date June 28, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2024 Volume: 28 Issue: 4

Cite

APA Lim, S. S., Mohd-naim, N. F., Kifli, N., Ming, L. C., et al. (2025). Investigating the anti-cancer potential of Morus alba L. extracts obtained from Brunei Darussalam on leukaemia cancer cells. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 28(4), 923-939.
AMA Lim SS, Mohd-naim NF, Kifli N, Ming LC, Diah S. Investigating the anti-cancer potential of Morus alba L. extracts obtained from Brunei Darussalam on leukaemia cancer cells. J. Res. Pharm. July 2025;28(4):923-939.
Chicago Lim, Siao Suan, Noor Faizah Mohd-naim, Nurolaini Kifli, Long Chiau Ming, and Suwarni Diah. “Investigating the Anti-Cancer Potential of Morus Alba L. Extracts Obtained from Brunei Darussalam on Leukaemia Cancer Cells”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 28, no. 4 (July 2025): 923-39.
EndNote Lim SS, Mohd-naim NF, Kifli N, Ming LC, Diah S (July 1, 2025) Investigating the anti-cancer potential of Morus alba L. extracts obtained from Brunei Darussalam on leukaemia cancer cells. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 28 4 923–939.
IEEE S. S. Lim, N. F. Mohd-naim, N. Kifli, L. C. Ming, and S. Diah, “Investigating the anti-cancer potential of Morus alba L. extracts obtained from Brunei Darussalam on leukaemia cancer cells”, J. Res. Pharm., vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 923–939, 2025.
ISNAD Lim, Siao Suan et al. “Investigating the Anti-Cancer Potential of Morus Alba L. Extracts Obtained from Brunei Darussalam on Leukaemia Cancer Cells”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 28/4 (July 2025), 923-939.
JAMA Lim SS, Mohd-naim NF, Kifli N, Ming LC, Diah S. Investigating the anti-cancer potential of Morus alba L. extracts obtained from Brunei Darussalam on leukaemia cancer cells. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;28:923–939.
MLA Lim, Siao Suan et al. “Investigating the Anti-Cancer Potential of Morus Alba L. Extracts Obtained from Brunei Darussalam on Leukaemia Cancer Cells”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, vol. 28, no. 4, 2025, pp. 923-39.
Vancouver Lim SS, Mohd-naim NF, Kifli N, Ming LC, Diah S. Investigating the anti-cancer potential of Morus alba L. extracts obtained from Brunei Darussalam on leukaemia cancer cells. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;28(4):923-39.