Background: Resin of Ferula assa-foetida has medicinal properties and various studies have shown its antioxidant and anticancer effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of ethanolic extract of Ferula assa-foetida resin on HepG₂ cell line.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the effect of ethanolic extract of Ferula assa-foetida resin on HepG₂ cell line and L929 normal cell line was investigated. The RPMI medium contains L- glutamine, penicillin , streptomycin and 10 % FBS. Morphological changes were evaluated using an inverted microscope 24 , 48, 72 , 96 hours after adding the resin of Ferula assa-foetida extract (10, 50 , 100, 200 μg /ml) . Cell viability was determined using MTT assay .

Results: Ethanolic extract of Ferula assa-foetida resin ( 50, 100 , 200 μg /ml ) were induced morphological changes in HepG2 cells after 24 hours which were prominent after 48 , 72 and 96 hours. At concentrations of 100 and 200 μg /ml, morphological changes were observed in normal cells. Results of MTT assay showed a significant decrease in viability of HepG₂ cells at concentrations of 50, 100, 200 μg /ml . Concentrations of 100 and 200 μg /ml significantly reduced the viability of L929 cell (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Although Ferula assa-foetida resin (50 μg /ml) has cytotoxic effect s on HepG₂ cell line, but at this concentration the extract have no cytotoxic effect on normal cells . Therefore, this concentration can destroy cancer cells with minimal damage to normal cells .