Cytotoxic and antiproliferative potential of methanolic extract of Mallotus phillippensis in MCF-7 cell line

Abstract

Mallotus philippensis is a shrub, used for anti-filarial, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic and immune-regulatory purposes for centuries. In the current study, methanolic extract of M. phillippensis leaves was examined in vitro for cytotoxicity and apoptotic potential in MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Various biochemical tests used to investigate the phytochemical contents of the plant extract. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of M. phillippensis leaves revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, diterpenes and tannins. The MTT dye reduction test was used to assess the cytotoxicity of the methanol extract of M. phillippensis. MCF-7 cells were grown in RPMI medium supplemented with 10% serum and 1% antibiotic and antimycotic solution. M. phillippensis leaf extract reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 190 g/mL. Acridine orange/ Ethidium bromide and fluoroprobe, benzimidazol-carbocyanine iodide 5, 5’, 6, 6’-tetrachloro-1, 1’, 3,3’-tetra ethyl (JC-1) staining. were used to examine the influence of the extract on the development of apoptotic characteristics in MCF-7 cells. The AO/EB staining revealed apoptotic cells with orange-red fluorescence in extract-treated cells, which increased in a dose-dependent manner whereas control cells showed green fluorescence. Control cells stained with JC-1 dye fluoresced redorange, whereas cells treated with extract showed red-green fluorescence whose intensity changed in a dose-dependent manner. The methanolic extract of M. phillippensis leaves showed invitro cytotoxic potential as well as induced apoptotic cell death in human breast cancer MCF-7 cell lines and may be studied further to generate a potent anti- cancer drug.