The Cytotoxic Properties of Baeckea frutescens Branches Extracts in Eliminating Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women in over 100 countries worldwide and accounts for almost 1 in 4 cancer cases among women. Baeckea frutescens of the family Myrtaceae has been used in traditional medicine and is known to possess antibacterial, antipyretic, and cytoprotective properties. In this study, we investigated the role of Baeckea frutescens branches extracts against human breast cancer cells. Baeckea frutescens branches extracts were prepared using Soxhlet apparatus with solvents of different polarity. The selective cytotoxic activity and the glucose consumption rate of Baeckea frutescens branches extracts of various concentrations (20 to 160 ug/ml) at 24-, 48-, and 72-hour time points were studied using MTT and glucose uptake assay. The IC50 values in human breast cancer (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and mammary breast (MCF10A) cell lines were determined. Apoptotic study using AO/PI double staining was performed using fluorescent microscopy. The glucose uptake was measured using 2-NBDG, a fluorescent glucose analogue. The phytochemical screening of major secondary metabolites in plants was performed. This study reports that Baeckea frutescens branches extracts showed potent selective cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells compared to MDA-MB-231 cells after 72 hours of treatment. Evidence of early apoptosis which includes membrane blebbing and chromatin condensation was observed after 72 hours of treatment with Baeckea frutescens branches extracts. Interestingly, for the glucose uptake assay, the inhibition was observed as early as 24 hours upon treatment. All Baeckea frutescens extracts showed the presence of major secondary metabolites such as tannin, triterpenoid, flavonoid, and phenol. However, alkaloid level was unable to be determined. The identification of Baeckea frutescens and its possible role in selectively inhibiting glucose consumption in breast cancer cells defines a new role of natural product that can be utilised as an effective agent that regulates metabolic reprogramming in breast cancer.

Targeting Glucose Transporters for Breast Cancer Therapy: The Effect of Natural and Synthetic Compounds

“…In one study, Baeckea frutescens leaves extracts were found to decrease glucose uptake in two breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), associated with a cytotoxic and proapoptotic effect. Importantly, the extracts were devoid of cytotoxic effect in the non-tumoral breast cell line MCF10A and were also devoid of effect on glucose uptake [149]. In another study, an extract of Petiveria alliacea leaves and stems reduced glucose uptake and lactate production in the 4T1 breast cell line.…”

The cytotoxic effect and glucose uptake modulation of Baeckea frutescens on breast cancer cells

“…Cell death was detected using propidium iodide (PI) (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) and acridine-orange (AO) (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) double staining and examined under fluorescence microscope as previously described by [27]. Briefly, 1 × 10 6 MCF-7 cells/ml were plated in 6-well plate.…”

Chemical Composition of a Supercritical Fluid (Sfe-CO2) Extract from Baeckea frutescens L. Leaves and Its Bioactivity Against Two Pathogenic Fungi Isolated from the Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze)

“…As an alternative to using chemical fungicides, plant extracts have attracted the attention of chemical companies as they may be used as botanical fungicides. Baeckea frutescens L. is an important medicinal plant belonging to the Myrtaceae family [ 1 ] and is found in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra and distributed along coastal areas of southeastern China and Australia [ 2 ]. B. frutescens has various bioactive properties, such as antibacterial [ 1 , 3 ], antioxidant [ 2 ], anticancer [ 4 ], anti-inflammatory [ 5 ] and insecticidal activities [ 1 ].…”

“…Baeckea frutescens L. is an important medicinal plant belonging to the Myrtaceae family [ 1 ] and is found in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra and distributed along coastal areas of southeastern China and Australia [ 2 ]. B. frutescens has various bioactive properties, such as antibacterial [ 1 , 3 ], antioxidant [ 2 ], anticancer [ 4 ], anti-inflammatory [ 5 ] and insecticidal activities [ 1 ]. The leaves of B. frutescens are rich in various volatile constituents such as terpenoids, sesquiterpenes and phenylpropanoids, which are secondary metabolites associated with numerous bioactivities [ 1 , 5 , 6 ].…”

“…Mean (±standard error) of three replicates for each sample 2. Percentage values followed by the same letter are not significantly different in the same group at p ≤ 0.05 (Duncan's test).…”