Screening of Anti-breast Cancer and Anti-oxidant Potentials of Selected Medicinal Plants from Sri Lanka
Nimesha Sulochani Wickramaratne *
Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo. No 90, Cumaratunga Munidasa Mawatha, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka.
Thusyanthan Jeyaraj
Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo. No 90, Cumaratunga Munidasa Mawatha, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka.
Kanishka Sithira Senathilake
Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo. No 90, Cumaratunga Munidasa Mawatha, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka.
Kamani Hemamala Tennekoon
Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo. No 90, Cumaratunga Munidasa Mawatha, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka.
Desiree Nedra Karunaratne
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
Sameera Ranganath Samarakoon
Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo. No 90, Cumaratunga Munidasa Mawatha, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To identify anti- breast cancer potential of medicinal plants used in Sri Lanka.
Study Design: The anti-proliferative and cytotoxic potentials of solvent extracts from leaves and bark of seven medicinal plants from Sri Lanka were investigated against estrogen receptor (ER) positive (MCF-7 cell line), triple negative (MDA-MB-231 cell line) breast cancer subtypes and normal mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A cell line) in-vitro. Additionally, the anti-oxidant activity, phenolic, and flavonoid contents of the extracts were determined.
Methodology: The anti-proliferative activity of the extracts was determined using Sulforhodamine B assay. The anti-oxidant activity was measured using 2, 2-di (4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and Ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The Flavonoid and polyphenol contents were assessed using AlCl3 and Folin-Ciocalteu reagents, respectively.
Results: Extracts of Erigeron sp, Gardenia crameri, Canarium zeylanicum, Elaeocarpus subvillosus and Angiopteris evecta exerted high anti-proliferative potentials (half maximal inhibition concentration IC50 <100 µg/ mL) with less cytotoxicity to normal mammary epithelial cells. Most selective, potent extracts against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines, were dichloromethane extracts of A. evecta leaves (IC50 = 43.74 µg/ mL) and C. zeylanicum bark (IC50 = 44.75 µg/ mL) respectively. All methanol extracts, except those from A. evecta and A. variabilis exhibited potent anti-oxidant activity and high poly-phenolic content in Galic acid equivalents (>50 mg/g). Comparatively high flavonoid quercetin equivalents (> 100 mg/ g) content was observed in dichloromethane extracts of Erigeron sp. leaves and bark.
Conclusion: Five of the seven studied plants demonstrate potential for use in cancer treatment. The phytochemicals responsible for the anti-cancer activity of these plants may not include polyphenols and flavonoids. However, the extracts with high anti-oxidant potentials, primarily attributed to the polyphenolic compounds present. In the future, these extracts could be used to isolate potential anti-breast cancer and anti-oxidant compounds for drug development. Furthermore, the study adds scientific value for traditional remedies and decoctions.
Keywords: Endemic/ medicinal plants, anti-proliferative, anti-oxidant, flavonoid content, phenolic content