Anti-proliferative and photodynamic activities of Senna didymobotrya (Fresen.) leaf alkaloid-rich extracts against breast cancer cells
Abstract Background Amongst all neoplastic diseases, breast cancer represents a major cause of death among the female population in developed and developing countries. Since alkaloid drugs are commonly used in chemotherapy to manage this disease, this study investigated the anti-proliferative effect...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04763-8 |
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| author | Kolawole A. Olofinsan Heidi Abrahamse Blassan P. George |
| author_facet | Kolawole A. Olofinsan Heidi Abrahamse Blassan P. George |
| author_sort | Kolawole A. Olofinsan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Amongst all neoplastic diseases, breast cancer represents a major cause of death among the female population in developed and developing countries. Since alkaloid drugs are commonly used in chemotherapy to manage this disease, this study investigated the anti-proliferative effectiveness of alkaloid-rich fractions of Senna didymobotrya leaves only and with laser irradiation against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Method and materials A powdered sample of the plant leaves was extracted with 50% ethanol, filtered and their pH was adjusted with acid and base solution followed by partitioning with chloroform and ethyl acetate solvents. Cells were treated with 240 μg/mL of the respective extracts, while those in the photodynamic therapy groups, cells were exposed to laser (405 nm wavelength and 10 Jcm−2) irradiation 6 h post extracts' administration. Results Treatment with the S. didymobotrya leaves alkaloid extracts significantly decreased the ATP concentration and overall viability of the MCF-7 cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cell groups treated with the extracts and laser light were considerably higher than in experimental groups treated with only the extracts. Moreover, the molecular docking analysis revealed the involvement of only hydrophobic bonds in the interactions of the plant’s alkaloid-derived phytoconstituents’ with selected cancer protein biomarkers. Conclusion Although the in silico analysis suggests that the plant-identified alkaloid phytoconstituents inhibition of estrogen receptor-alpha, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 and progesterone receptor proteins involved in breast cancer pathogenesis could explain a possible mechanism for the observed anticancer effect, more detailed in vitro molecular experiments are necessary to confirm these findings. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-7671 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies |
| spelling | doaj-art-739b55eb567a49ed891c843191fa91712025-01-26T12:15:15ZengBMCBMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies2662-76712025-01-0125111310.1186/s12906-025-04763-8Anti-proliferative and photodynamic activities of Senna didymobotrya (Fresen.) leaf alkaloid-rich extracts against breast cancer cellsKolawole A. Olofinsan0Heidi Abrahamse1Blassan P. George2Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doornfontein Campus, University of JohannesburgLaser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doornfontein Campus, University of JohannesburgLaser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doornfontein Campus, University of JohannesburgAbstract Background Amongst all neoplastic diseases, breast cancer represents a major cause of death among the female population in developed and developing countries. Since alkaloid drugs are commonly used in chemotherapy to manage this disease, this study investigated the anti-proliferative effectiveness of alkaloid-rich fractions of Senna didymobotrya leaves only and with laser irradiation against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Method and materials A powdered sample of the plant leaves was extracted with 50% ethanol, filtered and their pH was adjusted with acid and base solution followed by partitioning with chloroform and ethyl acetate solvents. Cells were treated with 240 μg/mL of the respective extracts, while those in the photodynamic therapy groups, cells were exposed to laser (405 nm wavelength and 10 Jcm−2) irradiation 6 h post extracts' administration. Results Treatment with the S. didymobotrya leaves alkaloid extracts significantly decreased the ATP concentration and overall viability of the MCF-7 cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cell groups treated with the extracts and laser light were considerably higher than in experimental groups treated with only the extracts. Moreover, the molecular docking analysis revealed the involvement of only hydrophobic bonds in the interactions of the plant’s alkaloid-derived phytoconstituents’ with selected cancer protein biomarkers. Conclusion Although the in silico analysis suggests that the plant-identified alkaloid phytoconstituents inhibition of estrogen receptor-alpha, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 and progesterone receptor proteins involved in breast cancer pathogenesis could explain a possible mechanism for the observed anticancer effect, more detailed in vitro molecular experiments are necessary to confirm these findings.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04763-8Breast cancerSenna didymobotryaAnticancerAlkaloidsPhotodynamic therapyReactive oxygen species |
| spellingShingle | Kolawole A. Olofinsan Heidi Abrahamse Blassan P. George Anti-proliferative and photodynamic activities of Senna didymobotrya (Fresen.) leaf alkaloid-rich extracts against breast cancer cells BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Breast cancer Senna didymobotrya Anticancer Alkaloids Photodynamic therapy Reactive oxygen species |
| title | Anti-proliferative and photodynamic activities of Senna didymobotrya (Fresen.) leaf alkaloid-rich extracts against breast cancer cells |
| title_full | Anti-proliferative and photodynamic activities of Senna didymobotrya (Fresen.) leaf alkaloid-rich extracts against breast cancer cells |
| title_fullStr | Anti-proliferative and photodynamic activities of Senna didymobotrya (Fresen.) leaf alkaloid-rich extracts against breast cancer cells |
| title_full_unstemmed | Anti-proliferative and photodynamic activities of Senna didymobotrya (Fresen.) leaf alkaloid-rich extracts against breast cancer cells |
| title_short | Anti-proliferative and photodynamic activities of Senna didymobotrya (Fresen.) leaf alkaloid-rich extracts against breast cancer cells |
| title_sort | anti proliferative and photodynamic activities of senna didymobotrya fresen leaf alkaloid rich extracts against breast cancer cells |
| topic | Breast cancer Senna didymobotrya Anticancer Alkaloids Photodynamic therapy Reactive oxygen species |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04763-8 |
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