Antitumor and radiosensitizing effects of Anagallis arvensis hydromethanolic extract on breast cancer cells through upregulating FOXO3, Let-7, and mir-421 Expression

Abstract

This study aimed to observe the anticancer, as well as radiosensitizing, effect of Anagallis arvensis extract (AAE) on the growth of breast cancer cells (BCCs). This effect was evaluated through measured cell cycle arrest plus apoptosis through flowcytometry analyses associated with a protein level of estrogen receptors (ER-α and ER-β), Fork head box O3a (FOXO3), and phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX) by western blotting analysis. Further, the gene expression of mir-18, mir-101, mir-421, and let-7 was detected via a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). AAE and/or γ-radiation (4Gy) inhibited the mediator-induced growth activation and enhanced radiosensitivity in the BCC lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). AAE reduced both cell cycle progression and cell growth via induced apoptosis. Additionally, the protein expression of ERα and ERβ was decreased, while the protein expression of FOXO3 and γ-H2AX was increased. Moreover, the gene expression of mir-18 and mir-101 was decreased, while the gene expression of let-7 and mir-421 was stimulated in BCCs. AAE has an anticancer with a radiosensitizing effect and is recommended for BC treatment.