Induction of apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells by petroleum ether extract of Sageretia thea / 药学实践与服务

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of the petroleum ether extract of Sageretia thea on the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Methods After breast cancer cells were incubated with the petroleum ether extract for different times, cell viability was analyzed by CCK8 assay, cell proliferation was detected by plate cloning test, nuclear morphology was observed by DAPI staining, mitochondrial membrane potential（MMP）and reactive oxygen species（ROS）were determined by immunofluorescence, and the cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. After incubating with the extract for 24 h, the CCK8 assay was used to observe the toxicity to normal human vascular endothelial cells. Results The IC50 of BT549 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines treated with the petroleum ether extract for 24 h were 45.40 μg/ml and 12.23 μg/ml, respectively. The extract time and dose dependently inhibited breast cancer cell viability and clonal formation, induced cell apoptosis and cycle arrest in G1/S phase, decreased MMP and increased ROS levels. There was no toxic effect on normal endothelial cells. Conclusion The petroleum ether extract of Sageretia thea may induce apoptosis by increasing ROS to cause MMP collapse, followed by activating mitochondrial pathway, thereby hindering the growth of breast cancer cells. These results could support the application of Sageretia thea to anti-breast tumor in the folk.