Cytotoxic and anti-migratory effects of Brucea javanica fruits extract on 4T1 breast cancer cells

Abstract

Brucea javanica (L.) Merr., belonging to Simaroubaceae family, is an evergreen shrub growth widely in Southeast Asia. Traditional medicine in Indonesia and China used B. javanica fruits to treat some diseases, including cancer. This study aimed to investigate cytotoxic activity and anti-migratory effects of B. javanica extract in breast cancer cells in vitro. The dried B. javanica fruits were pulverized and extracted with ethanol 96% for 3x24 hours, then filtered and evaporated. Cytotoxic activity of B. javanica extract was evaluated by MTT assay against 4T1, MCF-7, and NIH-3T3. The cell cycle and apoptosis induction assay on 4T1 and MCF-7 were done using flow cytometry. The inhibitory effect on 4T1 cells migration were observed by scratch wound-healing assay. The results of MTT assay showed that B. javanica extract provided selective cytotoxic activity on 4T1 metastatic breast cancer cells with the IC50 95 μg/ml, with no effect on MCF-7 and NIH-3T3 cells. The extract increased cells population in subG1 but did not affect cells cycle profiles on 4T1 cells. Further results showed that the extract 90 μg/ml induced apoptosis in 4T1 cells. The extract 15, 20, and 30 μg/ml significantly inhibited 4T1 cells migration compared to untreated cells. Thus, B. javanica fruits might be useful for developing an anticancer candidate for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.