A Novel Anticancer Effect of Ephedra alata Decne in Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. One of the main aims of developing new therapies is to use natural resources to induce apoptosis. LC-ms/ms analysis of a methanolic extract of Ephedra alata (E.A.) allowed the identification of 20 secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and proanthocyanidins. Antiproliferative effect was assessed by crystal violet assay. Antimigration effect was tested by wound healing assay and apoptosis induction was determined by annexin binding assays, Hoechst staining, ROS production, and activation of apoptotic proteins. The results indicated that exposure of breast cancer cells to E.A. extract significantly reduced cell viability in a dose and time-dependent manner and inhibited the migration of 4T1 cells at a low dose. Moreover, treatment of cells with E.A. extract induced apoptosis, as it was detected by Annexin V/7 AAD, Hoechst staining, ROS production, and the activation of caspases.

Abbreviation:

BSA	=	bovine serum albumin
DMSO	=	dimethyl sulfoxide
EDTA	=	ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
LC-ms/ms	=	liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
NAC	=	N-acetyl-l-cysteine
PARP	=	poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase
PMSF	=	phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride
RIPA	=	radioimmunoprecipitation assay buffer
ROS	=	reactive oxygen species
RPMI	=	Roswell park memorial institute
SDS-PAGE	=	sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for the financial support of this study.

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.