Secondary Metabolites from Ficus religiosa (Linn.) Bark Methanol Extract Bestow Cell Cytotoxicity to Human Breast Cancer Cells MDA-MB-231 by Apoptosis

ABSTRACT

The apoptotic potential of Ficus religiosa bark methanol extract (FR_me) was examined using MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. MDA-MB-231 cell cytotoxicity by FR_me was dose-dependent with EC₅₀ of 91.32 ± 4.21 μg mL⁻¹ however, it was non-toxic to normal cell line (HEK 293 T). Apoptosis identified by flow cytometer showed 32.5% cells in apoptosis and 61.6% in late apoptosis. FR_me blocked cell cycle growth and proliferation at the G1/S phase. An increased expression of BAX with the proteolytic cleavage of PARP-1 and a downregulation of Bcl-2 levels by Western blot was recorded. Confocal microscopy studies identified chromatin condensation and loss of nuclear structures in apoptotic cells. UPLC-MS analysis of FR_me for novel bioactives identified rutin, 3-caffeoylquinic acid, luteolin 7-O-rutinoside, 6-C-glucosyl-8-C-arabinosylapigenin, and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside.

KEYWORDS:

• Antioxidant
• G1/S phase
• apoptosis
• chromatin condensation

Acknowledgments

SS, KMMS, KRK, and PS acknowledge UGC-MHRD, New Delhi, India, UOM/IOE/RESEARCH/I/2010-11, dt.22.04.2010 for funding this research work.

Disclosure Statement

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

Authors’ Contributions

SS developed the concept and experimental design. PS performed activity guided fractional, antioxidant, and reducing assays. KMMS and KRK assessed LC-MS data. SS was involved in animal cell culture experiments. PS, KMMS, KRK, and SS have contributed toward the preparation of figure and preparation of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the IOE, UOM, UGC-MHRD.