Acceleration of pro-caspase-3 maturation and cell migration inhibition in human breast cancer cells by phytoconstituents of Rheum emodi rhizome extracts

Authors

  • D.R. Naveen Kumar School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore - 632 014, India
  • V. Cijo George School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore - 632 014, India
  • P.K. Suresh School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore - 632 014, India
  • R. Ashok Kumar Department of Zoology, Government Arts College, Dharmapuri - 636 705, India

Keywords:

cancer-specific cytotoxicity, ER-negative breast cancer, caspase-3, anti-metastasis, HPLC, GC-MS

Abstract

The aggressive nature of estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer subtype obligates for innovative targeted therapies. The present study aimed to investigate the phytoconstituents and specific anticancer activities of Rheum emodi rhizome, a known food source used locally to treat various ailments. Petroleum ether extracts (hot [PHR] and cold [PCR]) of R. emodi, exhibited significant free radical scavenging potentials through DPPH and reducing power assays, rendering them as good sources of antioxidants. The extracts, PHR and PCR had shown significant (P < 0.05) cancer-cell-specific cytotoxicity in the assayed cells (MDA-MB-231 [breast carcinoma] and WRL-68 [non-tumoral]) at 100 μg/ml, and 50 and 100 μg/ml concentrations respectively. Extracts also induced fervent apoptosis in ER-negative cells (MDA-MB-231) compared to ER-positive subtype (MCF-7), and found to involve CPP32/caspase-3 in its apoptosis induction mechanism. Moreover, extracts had an inevitable potential to inhibit the migration of metastatic breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) in vitro. Further, the active principles of extracts were identified through HPLC and GC-MS analysis to reveal major polyphenolics, 4,7-Dimethyl-(octahydro)indolo[4,3-fg]quinolin-10-one, 5-Oxo-isolongifolene, Valencene-2, and other quinone, quinoline and anthraquinone derivatives. The extracts are thus good candidates to target malignant ER-negative breast cancer, and the identified phytoconstituents could be eluted in further exploratory studies for use in dietary-based anti-breast cancer therapies.

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Published

2013-06-04

How to Cite

Naveen Kumar, D., George, V. C., Suresh, P., & Kumar, R. A. (2013). Acceleration of pro-caspase-3 maturation and cell migration inhibition in human breast cancer cells by phytoconstituents of Rheum emodi rhizome extracts. EXCLI Journal, 12, 462–478. Retrieved from https://www.excli.de/index.php/excli/article/view/1163

Issue

Vol. 12 (2013)

Section

Original articles

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