Selective cytotoxic effect of Annona muricataL. in HCC1954 (HER2+) breast cancer cells

Abstract

Annona muricataLinn. (Annonaceae) is a tropical plant with multiple beneficial health effects including anticancer properties. In breast cancer patients, overexpression of the HER2 oncoprotein corresponds to a poor prognosis, thus the main purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of ethanolic extracts from dried and fresh leaf of A. muricataon HER2+ breast cancer cells. MTT assays were performed and IC50determined in HCC1954 (HER2+) cells, as well as in MCF7 (HER-) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) used as controls. Total polyphenol content evaluation and phytochemical screening were also performed. The cytotoxic effect of A. muricataextracts (125-1000 μg/mL) was dose-dependent and cell-type specific. The extracts exhibited higher cytotoxicity against HCC1954 than MCF7 cells, but weak toxicity against PBMC. This is the first report of the cytotoxic effect of A. muricataon HCC1954 cells, highlighting its potential for treating anti-estrogen-resistant breast cancers and low toxicity against PBMC.