In-Vitro and In-Silico Approach Distinguish ER-α and HER-2 Antagonistic Properties of Indian Herbal Formulation on Breast Cancer

Abstract

Objectives: The anticancer effect of an Indian herbal preparation was studied under a cancer cell line, as well as the in silico computational methods that explain the probability of protein ligands binding to ER- α and HER-2 receptors.
 Method: The in vitro anticancer activity of Body Revival® suspension (BR) was determined using cytotoxicity tests, cell invasion and migration assays, and metastatic protein expression assays using MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The computational predictive biological method was applied to find out the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions between the active molecules present in the BR and ER- α/and HER-2 of breast cancer.
 Results: BR showed significant and dose dependent cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells. The 50% effective cytotoxic dose of BR was 34.27µl/ml. It restricted invasion (26%) and migration (28%) of cancer cells than BSA control. MMP-9 and IL-6 concentration were reduced significantly (p<0.001) after treatment. Cucurbitacin B had maximum in silico binding energy score (-7.8) with ER-α, while symconoside B had with HER-2 (-8.4); but, among the other interactions between the two ligands and receptors, withaferin A had the highest affinity (-15.3). Additionally, withaferin A, symconoside A, and symconoside B curcurbitacin A demonstrated bioavailability and fulfilled safety standards. 
 Conclusion: Body Revival® showed as a powerful multi-target inhibitor of ER- α and HER-2 that has prospective anticancer action without side effects, and may be useful in the therapy management following a successful trial in breast cancer patients.
 Keywords: Breast cancer, Cytotoxicity, MCF-7, ER- α, HER-2, Herbs, In Silico