D. mespiliformis Leaf Aqueous Extract Exhibits Selective Anticancer Effects against Breast Cancer Cells Via Glutathione Depletion

Abstract

Medicinal plants remain important sources of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic value, including agents that may support cancer drug discovery. This study evaluated the selective anticancer effect of Diospyros mespiliformis aqueous leaf extract against MCF-7 breast cancer cells and compared its cytotoxicity with that observed in MCF-10 normal breast epithelial cells. Fresh leaves of D. mespiliformis were collected, authenticated, air-dried, powdered and extracted using an aqueous solvent. The resulting crude extract was tested at graded concentrations of 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 µg/mL. Cell viability was determined using the CellTiter-Glo assay after 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment, while total intracellular glutathione (GSH) was measured to assess whether redox imbalance contributed to the observed cytotoxic response. The extract showed a clear time-dependent inhibitory effect on MCF-7 cell viability, with the IC₅₀ decreasing from 137.9 µg/mL at 24 h to 50.33 µg/mL at 48 h and 22.41 µg/mL at 72 h. In contrast, treatment of MCF-10 cells produced minimal cytotoxicity under the tested conditions, suggesting a degree of selectivity toward breast cancer cells. Mechanistic assessment showed that the extract reduced intracellular GSH levels in MCF-7 cells, indicating that glutathione depletion and oxidative stress may be involved in the cytotoxic effect. Overall, the findings provide preliminary in vitro evidence that D. mespiliformis aqueous leaf extract exhibits selective activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Further studies are required to isolate the active constituents, confirm the molecular mechanism and evaluate safety in broader experimental models.