Rosehip (Rosa canina) Extracts Prevent Cell Proliferation and Migration in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer, characterized by its lack of the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2, the estrogen receptor, and the progesterone receptor. Akt and MAPK have been shown to promote cell proliferation in TNBC. Currently, the existing targeted therapy is of minimal benefit in TNBCs. Natural products have received growing interest as an alternative medicine with potential anti-oncogenic properties. Rosehip extracts have been used as dietary supplements to relieve symptoms associated with gastrointestinal disorders and arthritis, and in our laboratory it has been shown to prevent cell proliferation in glioblastomas. This study investigated the efficacy of rosehip extracts in preventing proliferation and migration of a TNBC cell line (HCC1806). HCC1806 cells treated with rosehip extracts (1mg/mL -25ng/mL) demonstrated a significant decrease in cell proliferation and migration. Additionally, pretreatment of this cell line with rosehip extracts decreased AKT, MAPK, and p70S6K phosphorylation suggesting these extracts prevent TNBC cell proliferation and migration by blocking both the MAPK and AKT signaling mechanisms. To investigate the potential clinical application of rosehip extracts we examined whether rosehip extracts could enhance the chemotherapeutic properties of Doxorubicin (20µM). Rosehip extracts enhanced the anti-proliferative effect of Doxorubicin. These data suggest that rosehip extracts are capable of decreasing cell proliferation and migration in a TNBC cell line and may serve as either an alternative or complimentary treatment to current chemotherapeutic regimens for TNBC.