Acetonic Extract of Buxus sempervirens Induces Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis and Autophagy in Breast Cancer Cells
2011

Buxus sempervirens Extract Kills Breast Cancer Cells

Sample size: 5 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Ait-Mohamed Ouardia, Battisti Valentine, Joliot Véronique, Fritsch Lauriane, Pontis Julien, Medjkane Souhila, Redeuilh Catherine, Lamouri Aazdine, Fahy Christine, Rholam Mohamed, Atmani Djebbar, Ait-Si-Ali Slimane

Primary Institution: Laboratoire de Biochimie Appliquée, Université de Béjaia, Algeria

Hypothesis

Does the acetonic extract of Buxus sempervirens induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy in breast cancer cells?

Conclusion

The Buxus sempervirens extract shows promising anti-cancer activity by inducing both autophagic cell death and apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

Supporting Evidence

  • The extract showed cytotoxic activity towards all five breast cancer cell lines tested.
  • IC50 values ranged from 7.74 µg/ml to 12.5 µg/ml for cancer cells and 19.24 µg/ml for the control cell line.
  • Cell cycle arrest was observed in the G0/G1 phase in treated cancer cells.
  • Autophagy was confirmed by the presence of autophagic markers in treated cells.
  • Downregulation of cyclin D1 was noted in cancer cells after treatment.

Takeaway

A plant extract from Buxus sempervirens can help kill breast cancer cells by making them stop growing and die in two different ways.

Methodology

The study used MTT assays to evaluate cytotoxicity, FACS analysis for cell cycle and apoptosis assessment, and immunoblotting for protein expression analysis.

Limitations

The study primarily focuses on in vitro results, which may not fully represent in vivo effects.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0024537

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication