Moringa oleifera Methanolic Extract Induces Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Moringa oleifera L. (Family: Moringaceae) is utilized as an important food commodity, which has an enormous attention as the 'natural nutrition of the tropics. 1,2 The value for products extracted from plant sources is increasing due to its potential applications in medicinal field, livestock feed, cosmetics and industries. Clinical studies have suggested that all parts of M. oleifera depicted pharmacological significance and therapeutic properties, therefore known as the 'miracle tree'. The root bark, leaves, stem bark, pods, and/or seeds of M. oleifera are used traditionally in courses of nutritional therapy within many countries over the world owing to their high nutritive value. In India, it is believed that the diet containing M. oleifera has been shown to prevent more than 300 diseases, as per Ayurveda. 3 The M. oleifera plant preparations have been reported to detoxify blood and liver, strengthening the heart by reducing the risk of heart disease, increase fat metabolism to promote weight loss, and act as an anti-worm. 4,5 The other medicinal activities reported are, anti-pyretic, anti-bacterial, anti-tumour, anti-diabetic, anti-epileptic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, cholesterol lowering, anti-ulcer, antispasmodic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective and antihypertensive. 6 M. oleifera is an economically valuable plant, which provides an impact on social, environmental and health-related perspectives. Moringa leaves are a good source of natural antioxidants like β-carotene, ascorbic acid, calcium, flavonoids, phenolic, carotenoids and potassium. 7,8 As reported by researchers, about 74% of the known anti-cancer medicines are derived from various plant species. 9 The pharmacological importance of the leaves extract containing bio-active compounds were earlier reported and about 74% of the known anti-cancer medicines are derived from various plant species. 10 The investigations from researchers portrays the exploration of M. oleifera through determination of its efficacy and functional ability to represent as a model system against anti-tumour agents. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 685,000 deaths worldwide in 2020. At the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women alive those who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 5 years, making it the most common cancer in the world. In the present study, methanol extract of M. oleifera leaf (MOME) was used to test its efficacy against invasive breast cancer cell lines T47D and MDAMB231. Cell viability was analysed using the MTT assay to determine MOME IC 50 values in breast cancer cells. The study focuses on the dose-dependent effect of the methanolic extract of M. oleifera leaves on the cell cycle of breast cancer cell lines, T47D and MDAMB231 and the determination of apoptosis to ABSTRACT Background: Moringa oleifera Lam. (Family: Moringaceae), commonly known as 'drumstick tree' is beneficial to obtain sustenance as a food source and applied as a traditional medicine. The therapeutic potential of Moringa oleifera emphasizes on the inhibition of cancer proliferation and its versatile applications in Pharmacology which provide novel by-products and nutritive dietary supplements for human consumption. The objective of the present study is to investigate the efficacy of M. oleifera leaves methanolic extract (MOME) against the invasive breast cancer cell lines such as T-47D and MDA-MB-231. Materials and Methods: The different concentrations of MOME were cultured individually with breast cancer cells, T-47D and MDA-MB-231. The cell viability was determined after 24 hrs of treatment using MTT Assay (-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) to analyse the anti-proliferative effect of MOME on cell lines, T-47D and MDA-MB-231. The cell cycle assay and apoptosis were evaluated by Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit, followed by the analysis through Attune flow cytometer. Results: The IC 50 values of MOME in T-47 D and MDA-MB231 were found 45.33 ± 5.2 µg/mL and 24.44 ± 3 µg/mL, respectively. The G2M phase population exhibited an increase of 60.4% in MOME treated T-47D cells and 11.6% in MDA-MB231 cells. The population of early apoptosis cells increased to 37.1% in MOME treated cells. The time and dose dependent treatment with MOME inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis in T-47D and MDA-MB-231 cells. The externalization of phosphatidylserine on membrane of T-47D and MDA-MB-231 cells