Research Article

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

Volume: 28 Number: 4 June 28, 2025
  • Siao Suan Lim
  • Noor Faizah Mohd-naim
  • Nurolaini Kifli
  • Long Chiau Ming
  • Suwarni Diah *

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

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.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Siao Suan Lim This is me
0009-0005-7253-0996
Brunei Darussalam

Noor Faizah Mohd-naim This is me
0000-0002-9496-6249
Brunei Darussalam

Nurolaini Kifli This is me
0000-0002-8817-7956
Brunei Darussalam

Suwarni Diah * This is me
0000-0002-5869-8240
Brunei Darussalam

Publication Date

June 28, 2025

Submission Date

May 27, 2023

Acceptance Date

January 11, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2024 Volume: 28 Number: 4

APA
Lim, S. S., Mohd-naim, N. F., Kifli, N., Ming, L. C., & Diah, S. (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. https://izlik.org/JA78ZL94TN
AMA
1.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):923-939. https://izlik.org/JA78ZL94TN
Chicago
Lim, Siao Suan, Noor Faizah Mohd-naim, Nurolaini Kifli, Long Chiau Ming, and Suwarni Diah. 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): 923-39. https://izlik.org/JA78ZL94TN.
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
[1]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, July 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA78ZL94TN
ISNAD
Lim, Siao Suan - Mohd-naim, Noor Faizah - Kifli, Nurolaini - Ming, Long Chiau - Diah, Suwarni. “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 1, 2025): 923-939. https://izlik.org/JA78ZL94TN.
JAMA
1.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, July 2025, pp. 923-39, https://izlik.org/JA78ZL94TN.
Vancouver
1.Siao Suan Lim, Noor Faizah Mohd-naim, Nurolaini Kifli, Long Chiau Ming, Suwarni Diah. Investigating the anti-cancer potential of Morus alba L. extracts obtained from Brunei Darussalam on leukaemia cancer cells. J. Res. Pharm. [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 1;28(4):923-39. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA78ZL94TN