“Evaluation of anti-breast cancer, anti-angiogenic and antioxidant properties of selected medicinal plants”

Abstract

IntroductionHistorically, medicinal plants and natural products have been used to treat a variety of human health issues and there has been renewed interest in their use for integrated cancer management. The present investigation was aimed to evaluate the anti-breast cancer, anti-angiogenic and antioxidant potential of selected local botanicals. MethodsThe methanolic extracts of Cassia occidentalis, Callistemon viminalis, Cleome viscosa and Mimosa hamata were assessed for their cytotoxic properties against a human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 by using the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. The anti-angiogenic potential of all plant extracts was assessed by using an in vivo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Furthermore, the antioxidant potential of plant samples was evaluated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazine (DPPH), hydroxyl (OH) and superoxide radical (SOR) scavenging assays. ResultsThe results of the present investigation revealed that all the selected plant extracts: C. occidentalis (IC50 = 70 ± 0.11 μg/ml), C. viminalis (IC50 = 44 ± 0.19 μg/ml), C. viscosa leaves (IC50 = 70 ± 0.22 μg/ml), C. viscosa root (IC50 = 73.2 ± 0.36 μg/ml) and M. hamata (IC50 = 65.8 ± 0.25 μg/ml) demonstrated an effective cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 cells. In the CAM model, the plant extracts exhibited significant anti-angiogenic activity by inhibiting the blood vessels density. Amongst the tested samples, the most efficient anti-angiogenic effect was demonstrated by extract of C. viminalis (67.76 ± 0.77%). Additionally, all the studied plant extracts were found to possess considerable antioxidant activity. ConclusionThe selected botanicals with their anti-angiogenic and antioxidant potential could be considered as natural resources in the identification of possible therapeutic agents for breast cancer.