Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant, anticancer activities and molecular docking studies of Capparis zeylanica Linn. leaves

Abstract

Abstract Background Capparis zeylanica Linn. leaf extract was subjected to phytochemical screening for the determination of antioxidant and anticancer activity on (MCF-7) human breast cancer cells. The phytoconstituents previously determined were subjected to molecular docking studies against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein as a target receptor to support antioxidant and anticancer activities. Results Powdered plant leaves were extracted by maceration method using ethyl acetate, chloroform, methanol, ethanol and distilled water. Preliminary phytochemical evaluation and total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extract were evaluated using biochemical tests. Total antioxidant capacity of the extract was evaluated using different assays. Anticancer potential of methanolic and ethanolic extracts was studied on human breast cancer cells. Molecular docking studies were performed to evaluate the binding interactions of phytoconstituents on HER2 protein using AutoDock Vina. Phytochemical evaluation confirmed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, carbohydrates and proteins. Ethanolic extract showed a maximum total phenolic and flavonoid content in support with antioxidant and anticancer activities. The ethanolic leaf extract showed 66.63% cell growth inhibition against MCF-7 cells. Molecular docking studies revealed the highest binding affinity (− 8.4 Kcal/mol) of α-amyrin followed by quercetin and β-carotene. Glucocapparin, syringic acid, vanillic acid and p-coumaric acid showed almost a similar binding affinity to the amino acid residues of HER2 protein as compared to 5-FU. Conclusion C. zeylanica leaf extract showed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid constituents responsible for antioxidant and in vitro anticancer activities. Molecular docking studies showed the binding affinity of phytoconstituents on targeted HER2 protein.