Evaluation of anti-breast cancer, anti-angiogenic and antioxidant properties of selected medicinal plants

Introduction: Historically, medicinal plants and natural products have been used to treat a variety of human health issues and there has been renewed interest in their use for integrated cancer management. The present investigation was aimed to evaluate the anti-breast cancer, anti-angiogenic and antioxidant potential of selected local botanicals. Methods: The methanolic extracts of Cassia occidentalis, Callistemon viminalis, Cleome viscosa and Mimosa hamata were assessed for their cytotoxic properties against a human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 by using the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. The anti-angiogenic potential of all plant extracts was assessed by using an in vivo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Furthermore, the antioxidant potential of plant samples was evaluated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazine (DPPH), hydroxyl (OH) and superoxide radical (SOR) scavenging assays. Results: The results of the present investigation revealed that all the selected plant extracts: C. occidentalis (IC50 = 70 +/- 0.11 mu g/ml), C. viminalis (IC50, = 44 +/- 0.19 mu g/ml), C. viscosa leaves (IC50, = 70 +/- 0.22 mu g/ml), C. viscosa root (IC50, = 73.2 +/- 0.36 mu g/ml) and M. hamata (IC50 = 65.8 +/- 0.25 pg/ml) demonstrated an effective cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 cells. In the CAM model, the plant extracts exhibited significant antiangiogenic activity by inhibiting the blood vessels density. Amongst the tested samples, the most efficient antiangiogenic effect was demonstrated by extract of C. viminalis (67.76 +/- 0.77%). Additionally, all the studied plant extracts were found to possess considerable antioxidant activity. Conclusion: The selected botanicals with their anti-angiogenic and antioxidant potential could be considered as natural resources in the identification of possible therapeutic agents for breast cancer.