The current study was performed to evaluate the antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing potential of n-hexane fraction from Cassia fistula L. (Caesalpinioideae) fruits. The antiproliferative property of the fraction was determined by MTT assay against cancer cell lines including HeLa, MG-63, IMR-32, and PC-3 with GI₅₀ value of 97.69, 155.2, 143, and 160.2 μg/ml respectively. The fraction was further explored for its apoptotic effect using confocal, SEM, and flow cytometry studies in HeLa cells. It was observed that the treatment of fraction revealed fragmentation of DNA, chromatin condensation, membrane blebbing, and formation of apoptotic bodies in a dose-dependent manner. The fraction also showed a remarkable increase in the level of ROS, mitochondrial depolarization and G₀/G₁ phase cell cycle arrest, and induction in the phosphatidylserine externalization analyzed using Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining assay in HeLa cells. Kaempferol, Ellagic acid, and Epicatechin are the major phytoconstituents present in the fraction as revealed by the HPLC. The treatment of n-hexane fraction showed downregulation in the gene expression of Bcl-2 and upregulation in the expression level of p53, Bad, and caspase-3 genes analyzed using semi-quantitative RT-PCR in HeLa cells. These results suggest that n-hexane fraction from C. fistula inhibited the proliferation of cervical cancer cells efficiently by the induction of apoptosis. Graphical abstract.

Keywords: Antiproliferative; Apoptosis; Cassia fistula; HPLC; HeLa cells.