Differential Expression of Platelet Activation Markers, CD62P and CD63, after Exposure to Breast Cancer Cells Treated with Kigelia Africana, Ximenia Caffra and Mimusops Zeyheri Seed Oils In Vitro

Abstract

Cancer patients, including breast cancer patients, live in a hypercoagulable state. Chemo- and hormone- therapy used in the treatment of breast cancer increases the risk of thrombosis. Due to differences in health care services between developed and developing countries, the survival rate of women with breast cancer in developing countries is low. Consequently, ethnomedicines are used and their efficacy as potential alternatives are being scientifically explored. The seed oils of Kigelia africana, Ximenia caffra and Mimusops zeyheri have anti-proliferative effects on hormone-dependent (MCF-7) and cytotoxic effects on hormone-independent (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells. In this study, we determined if these seed oils reduce the thrombogenic ability of breast cancer cells by measuring the platelet surface expression of the activation-specific antigens CD62P and CD63. MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells were pretreated with the seed oils before being exposed to whole blood of human female volunteers. An increase in CD62P and CD63 expression following whole blood exposure to untreated breast cancer cells was observed. Treated MDA-MB-231 cells reduced CD62P and CD63 expression while treated MCF-7 cells increased CD62P and decreased CD63 expression. Kigelia africana, Ximenia caffra and Mimusops zeyheri seed oils are able to reduce the thrombogenic ability of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the volunteers who participated in the study and the School of Anatomical Sciences for use of their cell culture facilities.

Author Contributions

MNG was responsible for conducting the research and drafted the entire manuscript. PF organized the original data and revised the manuscript. TNA was responsible for designing the study protocol and revising the manuscript. DM conducted the statistical analyses. EC revised the manuscript. WMUD provided critical revision of the manuscript.

All authors critically revised, read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the University of the Witwatersrand’s Human Ethics Committee (Clearance Certificate Number M160211).

Consent to Participate

Informed consent was obtained for all subjects enrolled in this study.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences FRC under Grant 001.401.8521101 and the National Research Foundation of South Africa under Grant WD.