In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory and Cytotoxic Activity of Polyherbal Formulation Used for Cancer Management in Traditional Medicine Practice in Ondo State

Cancer remains a major cause of mortality in Nigeria with limited access to modern oncology services driving widespread reliance on traditional herbal cancer treatments, particularly in the South West geopolitical zone. A specific polyherbal formulation used by traditional medicine practitioners in Ondo State for cancer management, comprising extracts of Vernonia amygdalina, Momordica charantia, and Carica papaya leaves, is reported to have anti-tumour properties by local practitioners. This study evaluated the in vitro anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity of this polyherbal formulation and its individual components. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by inhibition of COX-1, COX-2, and 5-LOX enzymes using commercial fluorescent assay kits. Cytotoxic activity was determined against MCF-7 breast cancer, HeLa cervical cancer, and HepG2 liver cancer cell lines using the MTT assay. Selectivity index was calculated using WI-38 normal lung fibroblasts as the non-cancerous reference cell line. The polyherbal combination produced synergistic COX-2 inhibition exceeding the activity of individual extracts. HeLa cells demonstrated the highest sensitivity, with the combined formulation yielding IC50 of 38.4 micrograms per millilitre and selectivity index of 4.2. V. amygdalina contributed the greatest cytotoxic activity as a single component. The combination did not show enhanced cytotoxicity beyond additive interaction in MCF-7 cells. These findings partially support the traditional anti-cancer claims and identify V. amygdalina as a priority component for further active compound isolation. Keywords: polyherbal formulation, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, MTT assay, Ondo State.