Ocimum basilicum but not Ocimum gratissimum present cytotoxic effects on human breast cancer cell line MCF-7, inducing apoptosis and triggering mTOR/Akt/p70S6K pathway

Abstract

Breast cancer is the major cause of death by cancer in women worldwide and in spite of the many drugs for its treatment, there is still the need for novel therapies for its control. Ocimum species have been used by traditional medicine to control several diseases, including cancer. We have previously characterized the antidiabetic properties of the unfractionated aqueous leaf extracts of Ocimum basilicum (OB) and Ocimum gratissimum (OG), modulating glucose metabolism in diabetic mice. Since glucose metabolism is primordial for cancer cells survival, we hypothesized that these extracts are effective against cancer cells. The unfractionated aqueous leaf extracts of OB and OG were chemically characterized and tested for their cytotoxic, cytostatic and anti-proliferative properties against the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Both extracts presented cytostatic effects with an 80% decrease in MCF-7 cell growth at 1 mg/mL. However, only OB promoted cytotoxic effects, interfering with the cell viability even after interruption of the treatment. Moreover, OB but not OG affected the cell proliferation and metabolism, evaluated in terms of lactate production and intracellular ATP content. After 24 h of treatment, OB treated cells presented an apoptotic profile, while OG treated cells were more necrotic. The treatment with both extracts also activated AMPK, but OB was much more efficient than OG in promoting this. The activation of mTOR signaling, another survival pathway was promoted by OB, whereas OG failed to activate it. In the end, we conclude that OB extract is efficient against the human breast cancer cell line.

Detarium microcarpum, Guiera senegalensis, and Cassia siameaInduce Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest and Inhibit Metastasis on MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells

“…The five potent extracts activated apoptosis in MCF7 cells in a dose dependent manner (Figures 5 and 6). The apoptosis results are similar to other reports of the apoptotic effect of herbal products [28, 31, 32]. The plant extracts also induced cell cycle arrest at the S phase in MCF7 cells, which indicated that they caused DNA damage and irregularity in genome replication of the cells.…”

Knockdown of anti-silencing function 1B histone chaperone induces cell apoptosis via repressing PI3K/Akt pathway in prostate cancer

“…Apoptosis is another important process in the progression of tumors. Anticancer drugs and genes serve important roles in promoting the process of cancer apoptosis ( 38 - 40 ). Therefore, the effect of siASF1B on the apoptosis of PCa was analyzed.…”

Acetylsalicylic acid and salicylic acid present anticancer properties against melanoma by promoting nitric oxide-dependent endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis

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