Targeting Lung Cancer with Bioactive Fractions of Myristica Fragrans: A Novel Phytotherapeutic Approach

Abstract

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases, making it one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers globally. Despite advances in chemotherapy and targeted therapies, challenges such as drug toxicity and resistance persist. This has led to growing interest in plant-derived natural compounds as alternative or complementary cancer treatments. Myristicin, a major bioactive compound found in Myristica fragrans (nutmeg), exhibits reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and potential anticancer properties.

In this study, myristicin will be extracted from dried and powdered nutmeg seeds using ethanol as the solvent through Soxhlet extraction. The extract will be concentrated under reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator and stored for further analysis. Preliminary phytochemical screening will be conducted to detect the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds. Myristicin will be identified through qualitative tests and confirmed using Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC).

The anticancer potential of the extract will be evaluated using in vitro studies on human lung cancer A549 cell lines. The cells will be cultured under standard conditions in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and antibiotics. Cytotoxicity will be assessed through the MTT assay to determine the extract’s Inhibitory Concentration (IC₅₀). Morphological changes indicative of apoptosis or necrosis will also be observed under an inverted microscope.

This study aims to demonstrate the cytotoxic efficacy of myristicin against lung cancer cells and support its potential as a plant-based therapeutic agent, paving the way for future mechanistic and structural studies