Phytochemical Investigation and Molecular Profiling by p21 and NF-κB of Chorisia crispiflora Hexane Extract in Human Breast Cancer Cells in Vitro

Aims: The current study targets two main aims; 1st aim is the phytochemical investigation of the hexane extract of Chorisia crispiflora leaves. The 2nd aim is the evaluation of the in-vitro cytotoxic activity of the extract then examination of the molecular mechanisms underlying this cytotoxic effect.
Study Design: Isolation and identification of the compounds, cytotoxic activity investigation on breast cancer cell line and molecular mechanisms underlying the cytotoxic extract of Chorisia crispiflora which may interfere with several cell signaling pathways and insert anti-cancer effects through the suppression of NF-κB or activation of p21, on breast cancer cell lines MCF-7.
Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University and National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt. The study was completed within 10 months.
Methodology: n-hexane extract was tested against breast cancer cell line then investigated for its effect on NF-κB, p21 and DNA fragmentation. The compounds isolated were identified using different spectroscopic techniques.
Results: In this regard, three main compounds were isolated; β-sitosterol 1, β-sitosterol 3-glucoside 2 and stigmasterol 3-glucoside 3. The extract exhibited IC50 values of 7 and 4.2 μg/ml following 48 and 72 hrs of treatment; indicating its significant in-vitro cytotoxic activity. This cytotoxic activity was proven to be mediated through down regulation of NF-κB.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that n-hexane extract has potent cytotoxic effect on MCF7 cells in addition to down regulation of NF-κB. These findings consequently merit further exploration of the extract in subsequent in-vivo studies and later in controlled clinical trials.