Investigation of Anti-cancer potential of Karanjin in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells

Abstract

The utilization of natural flavonoids against cancer is the latest research hotspot. The present study evaluated anticancer potential of Karanjin in two breast cancer cell lines. The anticancer effects of Karanjin on proliferation were assessed by MTT assay in both breast cancer cells. The Docking assay was performed to explore the binding affinities of Karanjin for receptor and enzymes involved in breast cancer. The antimitotic activity of Karanjin was evaluated by onion root method and the cytotoxicity of Karanjin was checked by Brine Shrimp lethality assay. The docking studies proved significant interactions of Karanjin with progesterone as well as estrogen receptor. However, interaction with estrogen was significantly higher in comparison to progesterone. Also, Karanjin showed positive interactions with enzyme Aromatase and HER2 gene as confirmed by docking studies. Moreover, the MTT assay confirmed anticancer abilities of Karanjin in both cell lines. However, IC 50 concentration of Karanjin was significantly less in MCF-7 cells when compared with its IC 50 concentration in MDA-MB-231 cells. The microscopic analyses of the cell lines also revealed similar result proving higher efficacy of Karanjin in MCF-7 cells in comparison to MDA-MB-231 cells. The BSL [Brine Shrimp lethality] assay for 3 doses of Karanjin showed 500µg/mL does as the most toxic dose amongst all doses tested. Similar trend was noticed in the antimitotic assay, wherein significantly higher effects on onion root number and length were recorded at 500µg/mL concentration of Karanjin. The study confirmed that Karanjin has potential anti-cancer abilities against breast cancer. Moreover, Karanjin showed significantly higher anti-cancer potential in MCF-7 cells