Malabar spinach potentiates cytotoxic activity through apoptosis in human breast cancer cell lines

Abstract

Breast cancer, a highly diverse and invasive disease ranking second in cancer-related fatalities originates in the breast cells. It is the most common cancer among women worldwide and can also occur in men, albeit rarely. Hence, it is essential to conduct comprehensive research on cancer and explore nature-derived therapeutic interventions. The significance of plant-based medications lies in their natural compounds that offer diverse therapeutic benefits with potentially fewer side effects. Basella alba (Malabar Spinach), is a green leafy vegetable with documented properties of gastroprotective, ulcer-healing, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activities. Consequently, we have selected this plant for an in-depth study to investigate its potential anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7cell lines. In the present in vitro anti-cancer study, the IC50 values for B. alba methanol extract (MBA) were 102.43 ± 9.29 ?g/mL for MDA-MB-231 cells and 113.26 ± 5.46 ?g/mL for MCF-7 cells. Cytological changes, including nuclear fragmentation, membrane blebbing, apoptotic bodies and chromatin condensation, were observed through acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual (AO/EB) staining. Additionally, Hoechst 33258 staining revealed bright blue fluorescent cells having apoptotic features such as nuclear fragmentation, marginalisation and condensed chromatin in extract-treated cells. Furthermore, MBA treatment induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, resulting in fluorescent green cells in both cell lines. The extract notably reduced Bcl-2 gene expression, with a more significant impact on MCF-7 cells. Western blotting confirmed a substantial downregulation in Bcl-2 levels for MBA-treated MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, underscoring the anticancer potential of MBA, as observed in this study.