Panchakola Reduces Oxidative Stress in MCF-7 Breast Cancer and HEK293 Cells

ABSTRACT

A large number of studies have proven the efficacy of ayurveda in the field of health and wellness. Panchakola, an ayurvedic formulation, is a general health tonic primarily used to cure fever, inflammation, pain, indigestion, and so on. We investigated effects of panchakola on oxidative stress in MCF-7 breast cancer and human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. This work was performed to assess the antineoplastic and free radical–scavenging potential of aqueous extract of panchakola, a polyherbal formulation, in normal and breast cancer cell lines (i.e., HEK and MCF-7, respectively) using MTT assay. Activities of antioxidant enzyme, nitric oxide scavenger, superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase were assessed in cell lines incubated with and without panchakola. The outcome was analyzed by spectrophotometer. The results demonstrated increased cytotoxicity in MCF-7 (IC₅₀ 16.446 μg/ml) comparable to the results obtained with standard anticancer control (curcumin) with IC₅₀ 10.265 μg/ml in MCF-7 cell line. Further, the results obtained from antioxidant assays suggested increased antioxidant activity in MCF-7 cells as compared to normal HEK cells. The results derived from this study suggested panchakola is a strong contender in the field of phytomedicines to fight cancer and free radical–related diseases.

KEYWORDS:

• antioxidant
• anti-proliferative
• ayurveda
• breast cancer
• natural drugs
• panchakola

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Anita Kamra Verma, Kirori Mal College, Delhi University, Delhi, for allowing access to instruments for the research work.

About the authors

Tooba Naz Shamsi, PhD student, Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia, India, has done the research work.

Romana Parveen, PhD student, Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia, India, has helped throughout. The work was carried out under the supervision of Dr. Sadaf Fatima.

Sadaf Fatima, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia, India.