Abstract 3831: The molecular composition of a water-soluble extract from the leaves of the indigenous Southern African plant Tulbaghia violacea that displays anti-cancer activity against a triple negative breast cancer cell line

Abstract

Abstract Approximately 20% of all breast cancer cases are Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), whichis more difficult to treat and has a higher mortality rate than other types of breast cancer. Thereis an active practice of traditional medicine in in South Africa, in the form of infusions madeusing plant material. Previously we demonstrated that water soluble extracts from the leaves ofone of these plants, African garlic (Tulbaghia violacea), is able to induce apoptosis in TNBCcell lines, while also inhibiting the ability of these cells to migrate or penetrate a basementmembrane. In an attempt to isolate the molecular compounds that are present in this extract,water soluble leaf extracts were subjected to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FITR),Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)spectroscopy. Identified compounds of interest were then used in computational dockingstudies with the anti-apoptotic protein Cox2. The FITR analysis indicated that the extractconsisted of multiple compounds, belonging to a variety of classes. GC-NS and NMRspectroscopy identified 36 and 61 separate compounds respectively. Many of these compoundswere similar in structure to compounds with known anti-cancer properties. Many compoundswith established medical uses were also identified in the extract. Five compounds identified inthe extract, d-Glycero-d-galacto-heptose, H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl, and Benzaldehyde and 4-(1-methylethyl)- demonstrated high binding affinity towardsCOX2. With d-Glycero-d-galacto-heptose having a higher docking score than manycommercially available COX2 inhibitors. Based on our findings, the compounds within theextract could be used as the basis for the development of safe and effective drugs for thetreatment of TNBC and other cancers. In order to fulfil this potential, future work shouldexamine the molecular pathways affected by the treatment of TNBC cells with this extract orindividual compounds. Citation Format: Mohammed Alaouna, Clement Penny, Rodney Ulll, Zodwa Dlamini. The molecular composition of a water-soluble extract from the leaves of the indigenous Southern African plant Tulbaghia violacea that displays anti-cancer activity against a triple negative breast cancer cell line. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3831.