Molecular Biology: Open Access

Anti-Proliferative Effects of the Methanolic Extract of Kedrostis Foetidissima in Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Abstract

Mpho Choene and Lesetja R. Motadi

Traditional plants have been a great source of medicine in developing countries, such as African countries, India and China. But in the 20^th century, scientists in both developed and developing countries have been growing interest in medicinal plants due to their observed antibacterial and anti-proliferative properties. Accordingly, the study was aimed to investigate possible anti-proliferative effects of K. foetidissima that are associated with the potential anticarcinogenic properties in breast cancer. MCF-7 and YMB-1 cell lines were exposed to different concentrations (0-100 μg/ml) of the crude methanolic extract to evaluate their growth inhibitory and apoptosis inducing effects. The extract elicited a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation, followed by a concomitant decrease in cell viability. The observed cytotoxicity was linked to the induction of apoptosis as determined by biochemical features known to be associated with the advent of apoptosis. Real time quantitative RT-PCR of p53 and Retinoblastoma Binding Protein 6 (RBBP6) exhibited aberrant expression profiles of these genes under various treatment conditions. Taken together, the data suggest that the crude methanolic extracts contains bioactive compounds that may be beneficial in the treatment of breast cancer, and that this apparent antineoplastic activity is a consequence of anti-proliferation rather than a particular molecular mechanism associated with the above genes.