The Potential of Pasak Bumi (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) Root Extract Nanoparticles as Anti-Prostate Cancer Agent against Cell Cycle Regulation, Apoptosis, and Senescence based on In Vitro Tests

Eka Yudha Rahman; Nia  Kania; Didik  Priyandoko; Adilah Hafizha Nur Sabrina; Wahyu Widowati; Rizal  Azis; Aziz  Annaba; Dhanar Septyawan  Hadiprasetyo; Garry  Alexandro

doi:10.5614/j.math.fund.sci.2026.57.3.5

Authors

Eka Yudha Rahman Faculty of Medicine, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, 70123, Indonesia
Nia Kania Faculty of Medicine, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, 70123, Indonesia
Didik Priyandoko Biology Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, 40154, Indonesia
Adilah Hafizha Nur Sabrina Biomolecular and Biomedical Research Center, Aretha Medika Utama, Bandung, 40163, Indonesia
Wahyu Widowati Faculty of Medicine, Maranatha Christian University, Bandung, 40164, Indonesia
Rizal Azis Biomolecular and Biomedical Research Center, Aretha Medika Utama, Bandung, 40163, Indonesia
Aziz Annaba Biology Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, 40154, Indonesia
Dhanar Septyawan Hadiprasetyo Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani, Cimahi, 40525, Indonesia
Garry Alexandro Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Science Education, Jakarta State University, East Jakarta, 13220, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5614/j.math.fund.sci.2026.57.3.5

Keywords:

anticancer prostate, apoptosis, cell cycle, Eurycoma longifolia Jack, nanoparticles, senescence

Abstract

Prostate cancer poses a major health challenge worldwide, with increasing incidence rates and limited current treatment modalities, which highlights the urgent need for innovative therapeutic alternatives. Utilizing nanoparticles derived from plant extracts is emerging as a promising solution, offering a superior drug delivery system. Eurycoma longifolia Jack roots, or Pasak Bumi, which are widely used in ethnobotany, are known to contain the compound eurycomanone, which exhibits pro-apoptotic activity against malignant cells. This investigation sought to assess the efficacy of Pasak Bumi root-derived nanoparticles (PBN) in inhibiting the proliferation of prostate carcinoma cells (PC-3), through an in vitro approach. A nanoparticle sample was obtained through the addition of chitosan and 0.4% Na-TPP to Pasak Bumi root extract. Flow cytometric analysis was employed to evaluate cell cycle distribution, while genes expression of Casp-3, Casp-8, and HAX-1 were quantified via qRT-PCR. The senescence cell detection test was performed using associated-?-galactosidase staining. PBN treatment supressed PC-3 cell proliferation through G0/G1 phase arrest and downregulation of HAX-1 genes expression, while promoting apoptosis via upregulation of Casp-3 and Casp-8 transcripts. PBN also increased the percentage of PC-3 senescence cells. This study demonstrates the potential of PBN to inhibit prostate cancer cells.

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