Abstract 4060: Identification of anti-neoplastic compounds on a triple negative breast cancer cell line from T. violacea

Abstract

Abstract Background: The incidence of Invasive triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is higher than average in South Africa, with 90% of patients being Black South Africans. Current treatments for breast cancer are associated with severe side effects. Additionally, TNBC is resistant to hormone therapy commonly used to treat other forms of breast cancer. Tulbaghia violacea, a plant native to Southern Africa, is a medicinal herb used in traditional medicine. This study aims to establish the impact of water soluble extracts from T. violacea on TNBC cancer cell lines and identify any anti-cancer compounds present in this extract. Methods: Following the determination of the IC50 value for this extract. The anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic activities of the extract on the TNBC cell line were determined using scratch assays and cell invasion and migration assays, performed using real time cell analysis. The pro-apoptotic action of the extract on the TNBC cell line was determined using flow cytometry cell death assays. Once the anti-cancer activity of the extract was confirmed, the composition of the extract was determined in order to establish what known or possible anti-cancer compounds are present within it. This was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The structure of these identified compounds was then confirmed using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Results: The IC50 value for the T. violacea water soluble extract against MDA MB 231 cells was determined to be ~350 µg/mL. The extract was also shown to have anti migration and invasion as well as pro-apoptotic effects on these cells. Fourteen known anti-cancer compounds were identified in this water soluble extract. In addition to this multiple other compounds were shown to also be present in the extract. Discussion: The water soluble T. violacea leaf extract has cytotoxic effects and the ability to inhibit proliferation and metastasis in a TNBC cell line. The identification of fourteen compounds with known anti-cancer activity may explain the effects this extract has on these TNBC cells, however, the contribution made by any of the other compounds to this activity remains to be determined. Conclusion: These findings suggest that one or more of the compounds present in T. violacea may serve as lead compounds for the development of new treatments for TNBC. Citation Format: Zodwa Dlamini, Clement Penny, Rodney Hull, Mohammed Alouna. Identification of anti-neoplastic compounds on a triple negative breast cancer cell line from T. violacea [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 4060.