Anti-proliferative potentials of Aconitum heterophyllum Root Extract in Human  Breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines-Genetic and Antioxidant enzyme approach

Sujatha Saravanan; Rajeswari  Hari; Karthikeyan Sekar

doi:10.18502/ajmb.v15i3.12929

Sujatha Saravanan Department of Biotechnology Dr M.G.R Educational and Research Institute Maduravoyal, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Rajeswari Hari Department of Biotechnology Dr M.G.R Educational and Research Institute Maduravoyal, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Karthikeyan Sekar Department of Biotechnology Dr M.G.R Educational and Research Institute Maduravoyal, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ajmb.v15i3.12929

Keywords: Antioxidants, Apoptotic genes, Enzymatic, Glutathione, Vitamin C, Vitamin E

Abstract

Background: One of the most important research activities around the world is the screening of various plant components for novel anticancer medicines. The anticancer activities of Aconitum heterophyllum were studied in human breast cancer MDA-MB- 231 cells in this study. Since tumorigenesis is thought to be the result of a series of pro- gressive gene alterations, including oncogene activation and tumour suppressor gene in- activation, the expression of genes like p53, p21, STAT, and Bcl-2, which are thought to be important in tumorigenesis and cell death, was determined. In the present study there was an upregulation in the level expression of p53and p21 and down regulation in the expression of BCL2 and STAT. However, there is increase and decrease level of gene expression in Aconitum heterophyllum roots loaded Phyto-Niosomes (nEEAH), when compared to ethanolic root extract of Aconitum heterophyllum EEAH extract treated MDA-MB-231 cell lines.

Methods: The enzymatic antioxidants such as CAT, SOD, GR, GST, and GPX as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants such as glutathione, Vitamin E and Vitamin C were esti- mated in the treated MDA-MB-231 cells at the end of incubation. The RT-PCR tech- nique was performed to study the expression patterns of apoptotic genes such as p53 and p21 and anti-apoptotic genes BCL2 and STAT in the drug treated MDA-MB-231 cells

Results: In the present study there was a significant (p<0.05) increase in CAT and glutathione levels and a decrease in Vit C, Vit E and SOD, GR, GST, GP_X levels in the untreated MDA-MB-231 cells. Increased apoptotic gene expression and decreased anti-apoptotic gene expression suggest the anti-proliferative nature of the drug extract was comparable to the doxorubicin the positive drug used in the present study.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the ethanolic extract of Aconitum heterophyllum roots loaded Phyto-Niosomes (nEEAH), when compared to ethanolic root extract of Aconitum heterophyllum EEAH extract treated MDA-MB-231 cell lines exert its anticancer activity by activating the apoptotic genes, suppressing anti-apoptotic genes as well as modulating the antioxidant enzymes.