Cellular and In silico Studies Implicate Anti-Breast Cancer Activity of Erythrina variegata Extracts in MCF7- Cell Lines

Abstract

According to epidemiological research, breast cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and is more frequently diagnosed than lung cancer. There is growing awareness of the adverse effects of radiation and immunotherapy on several organs, as well as the variety of symptoms that can recur. Several natural compounds are being employed as adjuncts or in therapy as part of an alternative treatment regimen that is currently being investigated worldwide. Additionally, a number of compounds are undergoing various phases of clinical testing. Using cellular and In silico experiments, the current work investigates the possibility of Erythrina variegate extracts eliciting anti-breast cancer action. Alkaloids and flavonoids are the plant's main ingredients, according to phytochemical research. Based on our data, the cytotoxicity is effective, with IC50 values of 85.27 ug/ml/24 hours after incubation. Additionally, by lowering the percentage of cells at the G0/G1 phase, the extracts caused necrosis in 3.6% of cancer cells and death in 49.37% of them. The cell-cycle assay showed greater inhibition at the S and G2/M phases. Lastly, quantitative PCR demonstrated a considerable inhibition of the expression of the apoptotic marker genes P53 and Caspase 3. The interactions involving ligands viz. HER2/Osajin, eEF-2K/alpinumisoflavone, and PDF/wighteone had the best docking scores, with -8.9, -8.7, and -8.4 respectively. Finding the tree's precise chemical components and cellular mechanisms will be made possible by additional thorough phytochemical characterization, cellular assays, and simulations. Cumulatively, the initial findings support the compounds' anti-breast cancer properties and their potential as a substitute treatment for breast cancer.